Brendan Rodgers gives Derek McInnes his Rangers seal of approval ahead of Celtic revenge mission

Brendan Rodgers insists Derek McInnes should be bang in the frame to land the top job at Rangers.

The Celtic boss is gearing up for his 700th game as a gaffer against McInnes’ Kilmarnock side at Parkhead. And he’s convinced his Rugby Park rival is more than equipped to handle the Rangers hot seat as Light Blues chiefs step up their search for Michael Beale’s successor. Rodgers said: “I have said it before – I think he is someone who I am sure would be in contention for the position. He has history there at the club, but also he has experience and qualities as a manager.”

Rodgers will not be distracted by his desire to maintain the domestic push in the Premiership and avenge Celtic’s Viaplay Cup exit to Killie earlier this season. But he admitted it will be a moment to savour as he clocks up a significant milestone in the dugout. The 50-year-old will clock his 700th match as a manager over a career with Watford, Reading, Swansea, Liverpool and Leicester and he admitted he’d love to break through the 1000 barrier in his second stint as Celtic boss.

When reminder about the tally ahead, Rodgers said: “There you go. I look like it as well! Times goes fast, eh? I was 35 when I took my first manager’s job.

“It has been 15 years. I was obviously coaching for 15 years before that. I am very proud of my career, but hopefully we can keep having more exciting moments and exciting times.

“You know there are going to be ups and downs in it. But I have been very fortunate in my career to have a lot of really good moments and good times and work with a lot of fantastic players and coaches. I am looking forward to this next decade now.

“My target was always to get to 1,000 games as a manager. It is a sign of resilience and persistence