PARKHEAD chief executive Peter Lawwell believes that Brendan Rodgers is Celtic’s modern-day Jock Stein. Speaking on the day the club celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions, Lawwell has drawn parallels in the man-management qualities of both men and the way in which they got out the best in a squad of players whom they inherited.
And while Lawwell is satisfied that Rodgers will remain in place as Celtic push for an historic 10-in-a-row, he anticipates that the 44-year-old ultimately has the capabilities to manage at an elite level.
“There is a wee bit of similarity between Brendan and Jock Stein in that all the players, virtually, were there when they came in,” said Lawwell. “We only bought Willie Wallace and Joe McBride, who of course got injured, back then and Jock converted them into the team that they became and a team that became renowned.
“Brendan has come in a year ago and nine out of the 11 were here last year. He has done the same thing; Moussa [Dembele] and Scott [Sinclair] are the only two we brought in who have played a big role this season so there are some similarities there in terms of the job that he has done in developing this team.
“In both of these men what you see are motivators, coaches, developers.
“Brendan is capable, in my view, of managing at the highest, highest level. Therefore I don’t think Brendan would leave us for anything other than a major club who are operating at the very top in terms of their league status. He is the real deal and not only are we fortunate to have him, he is loving it.”
Rodgers has overseen a campaign in which Celtic made history by becoming Invincibles on their way to a sixth successive title, while he is on the cusp of delivering a domestic Treble. And while the Champions League will forever feel like a bridge too far in the current skewed system of television and media rights, the Europa League and the displays of Ajax this season have provided fresh inspiration for Celtic.
“It is difficult to say how high we can go but within our financial restriction I don’t think there is anyone better equipped than Brendan to take us as far as we can,” said Lawwell. “Where is that? Time will tell. We would like regular Champions League involvement. You see Ajax doing so well in the Europa League and that is a bit of inspiration, although getting out the group will always be an aim. In some respects going into the Europa League after the Champions League group stages could be financially more beneficial but I think you always want to be among the best, the last 16 in Europe, the last eight.”
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