In his first interview since his return as Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers has expressed his pride and gratitude, while also outlining his ambitions for the club’s future.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Rodgers conveyed his excitement about his second stint at Celtic Park and his determination to build on past successes, which saw him win two trebles, while going invincible for 69 games, and setting up the Treble Treble, before departing for the Premier League.
Rodgers began by reflecting on his return to the club where he previously led the team to multiple domestic triumphs. He went on to thank majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and the board for welcoming him back.
“I’m very proud and obviously very happy to be here, I want to say a massive thank you to Dermot and the board for taking me back, and everything feels so natural, I’m really pleased.”
Rodgers acknowledged the nostalgia associated with his return but emphasised his focus on the future.
“The nostalgia is great, but it’s the past and hopefully from that period, what we achieved is set in concrete and will always be there.”
The Celtic boss made it clear that his primary goal is to continue the winning mentality that characterised his first tenure at the club, while he sought improvement on the European stage, with the Hoops’ last knockout stage win coming in 2004 a full generation of Celtic fans are yet to witness a knock-out stage win.
“But I’m here again to win, and look forward, and continue with that mentality, and to look to see if we can do something in Europe.”
