Celtic age of trophy domination earns a nickname fit for a t-shirt as mastermind shows off encyclopaedic knowledge

Dermot Desmond moved to bring him back two years ago and Brendan Rodgers has gone about repaying that faith in silverware

Brendan Rodgers may stand on the very cusp of becoming the most successful Celtic manager in living memory.

But if anyone knows their Hoops history it’s the Northern Irishman – and he’s first to admit he’s still miles off even being mentioned in the same breath as Parkhead giants Willie Maley and Jock Stein.

One point at Tannadice this afternoon would be enough to secure Rodgers a fourth league title as Hoops boss and an 11th major trophy over all in his two stints as boss at Parkhead.

That would take him one clear of Neil Lennon and into third place in Celtic’s all-time roll of most successful bosses.

It would also act as another antidote to the strained relations he felt with supporters after leaving for the bright lights of the Premier League and Leicester while on the brink of the treble Treble six years ago.

Dermot Desmond moved to bring him back two years ago and Rodgers has gone about repaying that faith in silverware ever since.

And he is determined to keep doing so beyond the summer.

But asked if he feels the hand of history on his shoulder, the 52-year-old said: “Not really.

“I am a long, long way behind big Jock and Willie. I’m just privileged to be in my position to have the opportunity.

“It is one of the things I will always be eternally grateful to Dermot for bringing me back because without his support and his belief in me I would not have this chance to have the opportunity to win the trophies.

“So for that I have so many people I need to make proud and that is always in my thinking, as opposed to the personal.

“The titles, the pieces of metal or the silver we get, when I see that I only see the hard work and the ideas we present every day and the values we work to as a club.

“And that is my only intention, to keep on that road and keep on that path and to keep the success for the club.

“And hopefully when I leave, I can look back and think, well, I have either done OK or not.”

The Hoops are in the midst of a ‘golden era’ – Rodgers own words – that will see this year’s title become the 19th they’ve won in the last 25 years.

But the boyhood Hoops fan will forever be guarded against complacency.

He said: “I know we are in a golden era at Celtic and people will say ‘they are miles ahead’.

“I always say you are never too far behind and never too far ahead.

“That’s what is key. If you think you’re too far ahead then you are too content and you stop growing, stop developing.

“What we want to do here is focus on ourselves. On the now. There’s been a generation that’s had amazing success.

“Brilliant for the supporters and what I love about our support is we celebrate it like it’s our first. Like there’s nothing taken for granted. We are in a great period but that only comes from keeping aggressive and putting in the work because that’s ultimately what it boils down to – hard work and performing.

“You look back to the 1960s and 70s and Celtic won so much.

“Then there were eras here where winning a trophy was a real challenge and difficult.

“Then in the 2000s Martin O’Neill came in and the growth after that just continued.

“It’s a great testament to every manager that’s been here, every coach and every player.

“The emotional attachment allows me to understand the club and know you can’t take it for granted.

“Every morning I drive up that hill to Lennoxtown and know I have to be the very best I can be to justify my position here as the manager.”

With the majority of the doubting supporters now back on side, Rodgers penned a personal letter on the club’s website to the millions of fans worldwide on Friday morning.

It was to accompany the opening of Celtic’s season ticket window. But his message was clear: he’s staying put and he’s determined to build an even better and stronger squad to continue the strides taken over the last year.

He said: “Listen, my desire to be at Celtic is professional and emotional.

“I wanted to come back, I love the club, I missed the club so I’m back and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.. apart from the beginning!

“In the main it has gone really well.

“Clearly my emotional attachment to the club is for supporters, for family, for friends that are Celtic supporters.

“To do the very best for them and represent them the best I can.

“I’m very happy to be here for now. To finish the season well and go into the summer and really celebrate a fantastic season.

“Then really look forward to the challenges again in the third season.

“Your bread and butter is domestic football.

“You have to look after that and never think straight to Europe.

“You have to look after yourself at home.

“After that you want to develop in Europe. And we did that this year.”