Celtic will have to give their bitter rivals Rangers a guard of honour on Sunday afternoon and former Celtic manger Brendan Rodgers has given his say on this;
“My feeling is that you should always show humility and class, and be a sporting team,” he told Sky Sports.
“I can never forget when I was at Chelsea as a young coach and, in that first season that Jose was in, they won the title.
“I remember going to Old Trafford to watch the game that evening and I’m sure the Man United players didn’t want to do it but I’m sure Fergie insisted they did it.
“That must have been really, really difficult but it showed you the class of Sir Alex and it showed you the humility of him that another competitor came in and took the title, but it was also sporting that they did that, but also can provide you with great motivation going forward.
🗣️ "You should always show humility and class"
Brendan Rodgers believes his former club Celtic should give newly-crowned champions Rangers a guard of honour when the sides meet on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. pic.twitter.com/6VOlmwrDjI
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 15, 2021
“It’s something for me – despite the rivalry, despite how difficult it is – it’s something that you should do and use as motivation going forward.”
A decision on whether to applaud Rangers on to the pitch may come down to caretaker boss John Kennedy, who worked under Rodgers as first-team coach.
The Leicester manager is sure Kennedy will go on to manage in his own right one day but claims he would also be a valuable asset to any other boss who comes in to succeed Neil Lennon.
“John will certainly be in the frame,” Rodgers said. “I have no doubt that one day he will be a manager.
“When I arrived I didn’t know John but I spoke to one or two people and they were very clear on what his qualities were. And in my time there he was an outstanding coach.
“He has worked at every level of the club so he knows the club inside out. He played for the club, he worked in scouting, he has worked in coaching, he has worked at the top end of the academy teams, and he has worked with the first team. And he knows the pressure around the job.