Celtic have problems of their own making as they seek Postecoglou’s successor

C eltic’s supporters must know not to fall for managers. Ange Postecoglou’s exit for Tottenham maintained a theme which dictates those fans will surely be careful not to be seduced by the Australian’s successor. These marriages are only ever of convenience.

Neil Lennon, Postecoglou’s immediate predecessor, is an iconic Celtic figure who was subjected to vile abuse before time was called on his second tenure. What Lennon should have had stored in the bank of goodwill counted for nothing. Brendan Rodgers was revered in the east end of Glasgow before he, like Postecoglou, was coaxed by the bright lights of the Premier League. That Rodgers leapt shortly before delivery of an eighth consecutive title infuriated a noisy element of the Celtic support, as if such landmarks resonate anywhere beyond Scotland and Leicester were supposed to time the sacking of Claude Puel accordingly.

Speculation linking Rodgers with a return to Celtic refuses to fully dissipate. The 50-year-old has told friends, including on a recent visit to Glasgow, that he intends to take a year away from the dugout after the wounding manner in which things imploded for him at Leicester. Managers routinely have such ideas; they are often altered by what is perceived as the right offer. Rodgers likes money but he does not need it. He can afford to be relatively picky. The Northern Irishman has made no secret of a desire to work abroad.

Rodgers has little or nothing to gain by taking on a second Celtic stint. He has been there, seen it and done it in a Scottish domestic context. Eventually and unsurprisingly Rodgers realised his broader reputation was hardly being enhanced by harrowing European nights. Nothing is likely to change there. Celtic will play in the