Brown sticks up for “brilliant” Rodgers

Scott Brown has defended Brendan Rodgers, lauding the impact he had on his career.

Rodgers left Celtic earlier in the week to take the Leicester City job – a decision that left many Hoops supporters angered.

The 46-year-old’s exit was a shock, with many assuming he would at least see out the season at Parkhead.

Two banners were held aloft during Wednesday’s last-gasp win at Hearts, saying: “You traded immortality for mediocrity” and “Never a Celt. Always a fraud”.

Despite the negativity currently heading in Rodgers’ direction, Brown has stuck up for his former manager.

The veteran midfielder says the Ulsterman was an excellent boss to work under and now hopes to have similar success under Neil Lennon:

He has left us in a great situation and we need to make sure we keep going on for him as well.

There is always going to be a lot of stick but, for me, he was brilliant on a personal level and that is what really counts.

It is sad to see him go but the fans were unbelievable [at Tynecastle] today, singing for 90 minutes. Whether it is Lenny or whether it was Brendan, they are always following us.

It is never going to be a great time to have a manager leaving but he has left us in a great place. For me personally, it was sad to see him leave.

But we have another great manager coming in who will build on what Brendan has done and hopefully keep it going until the end of the season.

Lennon made a perfect start to life in his second stint as Celtic manager, with the 2-1 win at Tynecastle further strengthening his side’s grip on the Scottish Premiership title.

The Hoops visit Hibernian on Saturday evening, in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.