New manager Brendan Rodgers has given a “guarantee” he will be at Celtic for the duration of his three-year deal, unless he “gets emptied before that”.<\/span><\/p>\n Rodgers left Celtic to the ire of some supporters midway through the 2018-19 season, having won seven out of seven trophies since 2016. He subsequently enjoyed FA Cup success with Leicester City before being sacked in April.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n “As a Celtic supporter, I understood what it meant. So that was my regret, that I hurt Celtic supporters and it’s a big part of coming back,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n “Hopefully in time, I can give you that feeling I gave you the first time. I don’t expect anything, but if I get that support, great. <\/span><\/p>\n “For those who doubt, I’ve had that all my career so I will continue to work hard and hopefully a team that plays with the commitment people will enjoy. It will just take time.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve signed for three years and I guarantee I’ll be here for three years unless I get emptied before that, as they say up here.”<\/span><\/p>\n The 50-year-old Northern Irishman inherits a Celtic squad that that have won five of the past six available major Scottish trophies, including all three in 2022-23.<\/span><\/p>\n And Rodgers disclosed that he had “exchanged messages” with predecessor Ange Postecoglou, who left for Tottenham Hotspur in June after winning a treble, and spoken at length to John Kennedy, who will remain as his assistant.<\/span><\/p>\n “My whole plan was to have a year out and reset again but once I spoke to guys at the club and looked a little bit more deep into where the club was at, it was then pretty straightforward,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n “The club’s in a fantastic place and it made me really excited. It wasn’t a nostalgic move but I had a amazing time when I was here but I’m here to win going forward.”<\/span><\/p>\n Celtic begin their season with the first match of their Scottish Premiership defence on the weekend of 5\/6 August and will return to the group stage of the Champions League in September.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a good time to strengthen whenever you have done ever so well. It’s not going to be lots of numbers. <\/span><\/p>\n “Over the last couple of years they have built a squad, so it’s a case of developing that and adding quality where we can. I’m really excited with the players here because it’s s young squad and there’s still a lot of growth in that.”<\/span><\/p>\n “We’ll look to have European football after Christmas. We all know the challenges of the Champions League. If you can get through to knockout stages, that’s a big step for a Scottish team.<\/span><\/p>\n “But there are competitions now, with a bit of luck and quality, it can allow you to go a long way.”<\/span><\/p>\n “All you can do is beat the opposition that is in front of you. Michael is a coach I know from back in the day at Chelsea, and then at Liverpool, so I have known him over a period of time and he is an excellent coach.<\/span><\/p>\n “But my focus will clearly be on Celtic, improving us as a team will be my thought process every minute of the day.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve always felt that coming back to here, it was going to be really important for John [Kennedy] to be here.<\/span><\/p>\n “He knows how I work. He knows the rhythm of my days. He’s an incredible worker, he’s a great football man, he has the respect of the players, he has respect for all the staff.”<\/span><\/p>\n BBC Scotland were denied access to the media conference.<\/em><\/p>\n In a statement, they said: “We’re sorry that Celtic did not allow us to access today’s media event. We are in discussions with the club in an effort to resolve the situation.”<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Celtic](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11057\/production\/_130191796_20782803.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Rodgers on signings…<\/h3>\n
Rodgers on Europe…<\/h3>\n
Rodgers on Rangers & Michael Beale…<\/h3>\n
Rodgers on his backroom team<\/h3>\n
![\"line\"](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0933\/production\/_94655320_line976.jpg\")
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![\"Celtic\"](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/D527\/production\/_127876545_cel_ntk.jpg\")
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