THE irony of the away supporters chanting Brendan Rodgers’ name towards the end of Celtic’s emphatic cinch Premiership victory over Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday was not lost on the Northern Irishman.
It was the first time there had been such a public display of support for Rodgers since he returned, to the incredulity of so many of the Scottish champions’ fans, to Parkhead back in June and was therefore significant moment for him.
But as the adulation rained down on him he could still recall the infamous banner which the Green Brigade ultras group unfurled at the same Gorgie ground in the first game the Glasgow club played after he had departed for Leicester City four years ago.
It read: ‘You traded immortality for mediocrity – never a Celt, always a fraud’.
Rodgers admitted yesterday that he felt his many accomplishments during his first spell at Celtic – and he won back-to-back domestic trebles – had been disregarded because of the acrimony over his exit as he looked ahead to the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Parkhead tonight.
However, he confessed that his determination to give supporters more momentous triumphs to cheer and eagerness to heal the wounds that he created when he moved down south have been huge motivations for him during the past four months.
He knows that getting a result against Spanish giants Atletico in Group E this evening will do both and will ingratiate him even further to fans who are, slowly but surely, beginning to forgive and forget.
“For some, I was erased out of the history of the club because of how I left,” he said. “So probably what I did before really hasn’t counted for anything.
“For me to come back here was to start again and have that hunger and ambition to win, and win in a style that the club and the supporters have been used to, that’s been great for me. I respond to that kind of challenge. I’ve been relishing it from the very first day. Step by step, we’re getting close to where we want to be.”
Asked about the fans chanting his name at Tynecastle, he said: “The irony being the last time with the banner at Hearts. But listen, it’s all about winning games. However long I’m here, and whatever we win, everyone may not be onside. That’s okay. As long as the team gets the support then that’s really the most important thing.
“Of course, when you have that connection, like I had the first time when I was here, then it brings everything together. And it’s an amazing feeling. You need that synchronisation, really.
“I understand why there was a bit of resentment towards me coming back, but it was never going to stop me. I am professional enough in my work to focus on the team. And if I can produce a team that excites the fans, and we can win things in my time here, then hopefully that can be acceptable.”
Rodgers, who was a surprise choice to replace Ange Postecoglou, fully expected it to take time to win around his detractors. But the former Swansea City, Liverpool and Leicester City manager felt it was important that he tried to do so. He is pleased he is making progress.
“I knew the challenges coming here, of the perception,” he said. “But I came back here because I knew people were hurt. And, if I’m being frank, I was probably suppressing my own hurt.
“The want to come back was knowing that people were hurt by that - and I knew it hurt them because of the relationship we had. So the idea was to come back and build that relationship again.
“I knew it wouldn’t be straight away because if you’re really hurt then that can take time. But hopefully, in time, I can bring the success here that lets people see that I’m back here for the success of Celtic. Hopefully that can give them joy and our relationship comes together again.”
Leading Celtic to their first Champions League group stage victory at Parkhead since they beat Ajax back in 2013 against Atletico, who can field Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann in attack, Rodrigo De Paul, Marcos Llorente and Koke in midfield and Cesar Azpilicueta and Nahuel Molina in defence, would end all “Rat” talk once and for all.
The treble winners need to get a result against Diego Simeone’s formidable charges to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of the competition and end 12 game winless run. Rodgers is looking forward to trying.
“The level of competition is at a really high level,” he said. “There have been opportunities. It has been close, but that is an indication of the level. We were so close to getting a result the last time (against Lazio earlier this month) yet we end up losing the game. We can’t get down about it.
“Every player will relish playing against the opponent they are playing against, against a really good Champions League player. Like I say, this is a team that is going for the Spanish title so you know you are going against a good side.
“But I am excited about it. I think we are coming into it in a really good place. When I think back to the first game (against Feyenoord last month), we were piecing it together a little bit, players were still trying to get fit. Now I see the continuing growth. Players have got fitter, there is great clarity about how we are working and playing and I am really excited about the game.”
