My chance Brendan Rodgers meeting showed Celtic calm before serious stuff as high wire walk with Beale nears - Hugh Keevins

Meeting Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers in the street unexpectedly, as I did last week, is an occupational hazard for people in my line of work.

You are obliged to race through the contents of your mind in a frantic search to remember the last thing you wrote, or said, about the man in case you might have given cause for offence and be about to bear the brunt of his anger along with whatever form of retribution should follow. But Brendan was the epitome of calm during our chance meeting on Wednesday and exuded the air of a man without a care in the world as he strolled towards his car with his loved ones for company.

An initial thumbs up was followed by a warm handshake then some kind words before he moved on in his relaxed manner. We’ll call it a civilised opener to the new season and hope that relations can remain as cordial when the serious stuff begins next weekend. Always business, never personal.

Rodgers’ return to Celtic Park after a four-year absence will be officially marked by James Forrest’s testimonial match against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night. It is to be hoped he is spared the residual wrath of the Green Brigade, who soured his departure for Leicester City by displaying a banner that denounced him as a “fraud” who didn’t have their unswerving devotion to the club.

The player, who should be allowed to bathe in the warmth of the supporters’ affection after all he’s achieved at Celtic, doesn’t deserve to have his night sullied by a gratuitous controversy. The manager is entitled to think a demonstration of unity would be preferable to a show of self-importance from those who are supposed to have the best interests of the club at heart.

Once the Premiership begins and we revert to the ground rules