Brendan Rodgers was "better than Leicester City". That's the opinion of former Hibs and Celtic ace John Collins.
The pundit reckons Rodgers - who was appointed Celtic boss on a three-year deal this week - is a top-quality manager and was the obvious candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou.
But Rodgers has faced some criticism over his exit from the club for Leicester in 2019 - despite the majority of Celtic fans backing his return to Parkhead.
For Collins, the switch to Leicester came at the wrong time and potentially even to the wrong club as he cited the move as a possible regret for Rodgers.
Speaking on Radio Scotland Collins commented: "I think it was a straightforward appointment from a Celtic board point of view.
"Brendan Rodgers is out of contract, there's no compensation, he has been at the club before, he's won trebles, he's played entertaining football, a wonderful communicator, ticks every single box.
"The only thing that could be questioned is how he left and when he left. But that happened.
"If you ask the majority of Celtic supporters, did they enjoy watching Brendan Rodgers team and enjoy them picking up trophy after trophy they would say yes.
"I am a huge admirer of Brendan. I think he's a top quality manager.
"I was disappointed when he left Celtic. And my opinion is that he left at the wrong time. My opinion is that he was better than Leicester City football club.
"When you make the decision you stick by it, but in later years Brendan when he looks back on it, he might think it was the wrong move."
On his return to Celtic and his controversial exit, Rodgers said: “I never get too emotional with words. The pressure is greater because of what we did first time around but I relish that.
“Hopefully I can prove that to those who don't want me here and shift their opinion. I hope I can still have that relationship with the fanbase.
“It was a sad moment when I left. I don't regret it but I regret the hurt it caused people. I understood what it meant.
“That was my regret - that I hurt people who were Celtic supporters.”
