Brendan Rodgers has been describing the path that led him to becoming one of the UK’s most respected and revered football coaches, and ultimately to Celtic Park.
The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a whirlwind first season in Glasgow, with the club still on course for a first domestic treble in 17 years and his squad breaking the Lisbon Lions’ record for an unbeaten domestic run in Scotland.
But it hasn’t always been glitz and glamour that surrounded Rodgers, and some fans might be surprised to know the struggles he came through to make it to where he finds himself today.
The former Liverpool manager was forced to retire from professional football at just 20 due to injury, and whilst he knew coaching was in his blood, supporting his young family came first.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Rodgers explained: “That was the making of me.
“When I was a young player and I had to quit, at the time academies weren’t around so there weren’t many jobs in football.
“I always wanted to coach but I had a family and I had to provide for them.
“So I got a job with John Lewis in their main warehouse in Bracknell while I was doing my coaching badges.
“I’d be up at five o’clock in the morning and doing a 12-hour shift, five days a week and after that I went coaching. I knew what I wanted to do.”
And we’re willing to bet every Celtic fan is absolutely delighted that Rodgers stayed so focused on his quest to reach the pinnacle of his profession.
His Hoops side take on Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday in the Scottish Cup as they chase down their third trophy of the campaign.
Will they win it? And how will Rodgers be remembered in the history of Celtic?
Let us know in the comments section below…
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On this week’s show, Daniel is joined by talkingbaws.com writer Scott MacArthur as well as Clyde 1 Superscoreboard’s Hugh Keevins.
They talk St Johnstone v Celtic and that handball, as well as Moussa Dembele’s worth, Hoops dominance, the ‘yawning chasm’, Mark Warburton on death row, Hearts v Hibs as the tie of the weekend, agreeing with Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton. Hugh also answers some fan questions.
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