Sport

Brendan Rodgers appointed as Celtic's new manager

CELTIC have confirmed Antrim native Brendan Rodgers as the club’s new first team manager on a 12-month rolling contract.

The 43-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Liverpool last October following the club’s dip in form but will replace Ronny Deila, who vacated the position on mutual terms.

Despite his sacking at Liverpool, Rodgers' stock remains high and the former Swansea, Reading and Watford manager is beaming with pride upon coming to an agreement with the Bhoys.

"I am absolutely delighted to be named Celtic manager,” he said in a statement released by the club.

“This is genuinely a huge honour for me. I have followed Celtic all my life and to be given this fantastic opportunity and to be part of such a truly great football club is a dream come true.

"I will give my new role everything I have and do all I can to bring our supporters exciting, entertaining and winning football.

"The Club has been in magnificent shape in recent years and has collected silverware regularly during this time. My objective now, of course, is to continue this work, to keep us at the top and again make our mark in Europe.

"I know what a magnificent support Celtic enjoys and I can promise our fans one thing - that I will be doing everything I can to give you a team that you can be proud of and a team that delivers.

"I can't wait to be in Paradise with our team and our fans as we all get to work."

Rodgers will go head-to-head with Rangers manager Mark Warburton next term, and the two managers are more than familiar with each other's work as they were once colleagues on the coaching staff at Watford.