Joe Hart has opened up on Brendan Rodgers' first few days at Celtic as he paid tribute to old boss Ange Postecoglou.
The former England international is back in pre-season training with his Hoops team-mates as they gear up to defend the Treble they won last season and also make a splash in the Champions League. It is all change at Parkhead with a new man in the dugout while star player Jota has departed the club for a big money move to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Rodgers is no stranger to Celtic having had a hugely successful trophy laden first spell in charge as he targets similar success this time around with Rangers and Michael Beale going through a summer of transition as they bid to dethrone the Scottish champions. Veteran Hart has hailed his new manager as an 'exceptional guy' while also admitting the 50-year-old has laid it on the line to his new troops.
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Speaking today, Hart said: "We've only been together a couple of days down. But look, he's an exceptional guy. I've had run ins with him in the past as an opponent, I actually bumped into him a few times on holiday. He's a lovely person, first and foremost, which is very important.
"He's very successful with a huge drive and he's laid it on the line. He actually stood here in front of us and let us know how proud he was about what we did last year, but that was last year, and we now have to build on it and try and improve and push each other.
"He's super positive, you can tell that he absolutely loves the club. If he was to take his managerial hat off, he's a Celtic fan but he's made it very clear that he's able to separate business and pleasure and we're here to work.
"We're here to be successful, push each other, try and get the best out of each other. He wants to push the young guys, he wants the older guys to help. They are very clear messages and I'm really excited to work under him."
On Postecoglou, he added: "We shared two really special years together. With success, people are interested in what you're going to be doing next. Ange had a decision to make and he made it. We absolutely loved working under him, I really enjoyed my time personally.
"I really got on with him as a person and I wish him all the best. Football's got this magical way of moving, and next we got the news that Brendan's coming in and we've got a new focus and a new task."
