Former Celtic manager Ronny Deila believes Brendan Rodgers should have stuck with Celtic rather than pursue the challenge with Leicester City. The Northern Irishman has won the treble with the Hoops in the past two seasons and he was on course to replicate the same this term before making the surprise switch to the east Midlands.
Speaking on the Celts Are Here website, Deila admitted that the departure was disappointing for the Celtic point of view, given Rodgers had done a tremendous job by guiding the team to every domestic accolade within grasp. He added that the former Liverpool boss could have done better than the Foxes and perhaps waited for an elite club from the Premier League.
“I’m very sad for Celtic because he did an unbelievably good job. It’s important to have consistency at the club – especially Celtic who are going for ten in a row,” said Deila, who is now managing Valerenga in Norway. “I think he’s so good he could have managed a top four or five club down south straight from Celtic and not went to Leicester. I was surprised.”
With the departure of Rodgers, Celtic were quick to announce Neil Lennon as the interim boss for the campaign and they have since secured back-to-back triumphs over Hearts and Hibernian. As such, they are on course to secure the Scottish Premiership title for the eighth league title on the bounce with a six-point advantage over second-placed Rangers with 10 games remaining.
Elsewhere, Rodgers did not enjoy the best of beginnings with Leicester after they suffered a late 2-1 defeat against Watford on the road. For the current weekend, the Foxes are scheduled to entertain Fulham at the King Power Stadium and the match could offer Rodgers with a maiden triumph at the club, given the Cottagers’ poor defensive record over the course of the campaign.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Rodgers was asked whether he would consider an approach from the Premier League champions but his response was in the negative while insisting that he has no plans of leaving the Glasgow giants anytime soon, he said: “My job is to concentrate on the football aspect, and that is with Celtic. I’ve been stood here for two and a half years and I’ve been asked similar questions, my message is always very, very clear, I’m very concentrated on the game.”
Speaking after the game, Rodgers described the victory as a ‘fantastic one’ given his team had previously struggled to overcome any elite European club under his management. He added to praise the atmosphere around Parkhead which pushed the team forward in their quest to secure maximum points.
Speaking to reporters, Rodgers indicated that the Villains are a top team who should be plying their trade in the Premier League but he does not have any plans of parting ways with the Hoops for the moment, he said: “I’m the Celtic manager and I love it and have lots of challenges here. There is always speculation around lots of names.
However, speaking ahead of the St Mirren game, Rodgers appeared to sway away any fears of Brown leaving the Hoops by indicating that the midfielder himself is open to the extension, he said: “Scott has made it clear he wants to be here and I am sure there will be a deal done pretty soon on that. He is quite relaxed about it. He knows what we think of him here at the club so hopefully that will be done.”