Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been praised by Craig Bellamy and Gordon Strachan.
Pundits Gordon Strachan and Craig Bellamy have backed Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers for a return to the Premier League one day, with either Chelsea or Spurs mentioned on Sky Sports’ The Debate.
The Bhoys have been simply sensational since Rodgers replaced Ronny Deila as manager back in 2016, going the entirety of last season unbeaten in domestic competitions.
With a treble in the bank, Rodgers set about doing the same this term – but his 69-game unbeaten domestic run came to an end on Sunday with a 4-0 defeat at Hearts.
Celtic responded with a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle on Wednesday night, and Rodgers will be looking to win the treble again this season as his side get back on track.
Over two years on since leaving Liverpool, Rodgers continues to be mentioned for a return to the Premier League, though some remain unconvinced by his exploits given that they have come in Scottish football.
Now, former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and ex-Bhoys forward Craig Bellamy have spoken to The Debate about Rodgers’ future, responding when asked if he could manage a team like Arsenal or Tottenham if Arsene Wenger or Mauricio Pochettino left their respective positions.
Bellamy feels that the top clubs will start to take notice of Rodgers if he impresses in the Champions League, whilst Strachan noted that Rodgers may fit the mould for Spurs better than a ‘big name’ boss due to his ability to develop young players, just like Pochettino.
“I look at Brendan and I just believe he’s a top class manager,” said Bellamy. “Maybe some people from outside who don’t follow Scottish football may not look at the league, and his achievements, and give him the recognition he deserves. That’s where Europe comes into it; if he does well in the Champions League then the big boys have a look.”
“Maybe Daniel Levy doesn’t want the type of guy who comes in and demands £80million and £90million, he wanted Pochettino who can make good buys, and work at a team and make them better; by the way I think he’s top class too,” added Strachan.
Bellamy added that he thinks Antonio Conte may leave Chelsea, and believes Rodgers could be ideal for that job if the Blues decide the want to develop their young players.
“It hasn’t been great; it doesn’t look like there’s a relationship there. If he goes at the end of the year, then me personally, if I’ve spent all this money on youth players and I want to see them starting to get into the first team, there would be no better manager out there for me than Brendan Rodgers to be able to do that.”
“He’s been at Chelsea’s youth system, he’s been part of that football club. He’s helped develop a lot of players who have gone on to do well elsewhere who have come from Chelsea’s youth ranks. He plays good football. He plays an attractive style of football which would please [Roman] Abramovich. But also with the experience now of managing, could he go into a club like Chelsea, bring in young players, develop that football team over the next couple of years? I believe he could,” continued Bellamy.
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