Brendan Rodgers has detailed the secret lunch in Mallorca with Callum McGregor that played a key role in his return to Celtic.
The former Hoops player is officially back on the hot seat for a second spell after being confirmed as Ange Postecoglou’s successor at Parkhead. The 50-year-old – who enjoyed a trophy-rich spell during his first stint in charge – has signed a three-year deal as he looks to bring more success to the Scottish champions and make his mark on the European stage.
The squad has virtually changed since his previous stint at the club, but captain McGregor has been “mainstream” during that spell and he is the main reason the former Liverpool and Leicester City man accepted Dermot Desmond’s pitch to return.
Opening this chat and its captain in an interview with Celtic TV, Rodgers said: “He was key back then, just seeing a young player develop. Obviously I’ve seen it when I’ve left and just seeing him continue to do that growth has been really nice.
“And I have to say he was also a big part of my decision to come back because I had lunch with him for a couple of hours in Mallorca and I just got to know the team and where it was at and how the club felt about it, he gave me great feedback, that the group is hungry, young and ready to move forward.
“And for me, Callum is an absolutely brilliant player on the pitch, his brain, his view of the game is right up there with the best I’ve ever worked with.”
“He’s fit, he’s played a lot of games, he’s the ultimate professional, but within that he’s got great humility. So I’m absolutely delighted that by coming back here he’s captaining the club.”