Brendan Rodgers Celtic

Rodgers won't leave Celtic amid Newcastle & Leicester links - Hartson

Brendan Rodgers will not leave Celtic anytime soon for a return to the Premier League with either Newcastle or Leicester, according to former Bhoys striker John Hartson.

Rodgers has previously enjoyed relative success in England’s top flight after guiding Swansea to safety and almost winning a league title with Liverpool. 

He has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle yet to win a game this season and Claude Puel’s brand of football at Leicester attracting criticism, however, Hartson does not think Rodgers would leave the Scottish champions.

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"I don’t care if Newcastle are looking at him and thinking that he might be the man if they part company with Rafa Benitez or if Leicester are thinking that he might be a better option than Claude Puel." Hartson wrote in his Evening Times column 

"In terms of money, both of these clubs could blow Celtic entirely out of the water, both in terms of what they can offer on a personal level and on a transfer budget.

"But that isn’t what it is about for Rodgers."

Rodgers has already led Celtic to an unbeaten season during the 2016-17 campaign, but Hartson believes he wants the unparalleled distinction of winning 10 Scottish titles in a row, a feat never before achieved.

"I think Brendan has his heart set on being the man to deliver the ten,” continued Hartson.

"I don’t think he would ever say that publicly and nor do I think that he will really focus too much on anything other than ensuring Celtic get to eight this season, but the bottom line for me is that he is motivated and happy at his work."

Celtic currently sit on a streak of seven consecutive league titles and, if they are to get to 10, they will have to overcome Hearts, who sit six points above them in the Scottish Premiership.

Rodgers has voiced his displeasure at the Celtic board in recent weeks as he wants to bring in players in the January transfer window after losing star striker Moussa Dembele to Lyon for £20 million without signing a replacement and Hartson believes he will get the investment he is looking for. 

"It was interesting that he made the point about the board standing still again in the aftermath of the weekend win over Hibs.

"For me that is a little reminder as the January window approaches that he expects to be backed in terms of the players that he wants to bring into the club. I think he will get what he wants."

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