Barry Ferguson on how he really feels about Brendan Rodgers amid ‘private chat’ after Celtic v Rangers

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Brendan Rodgers has seen off many Rangers managers during his time in the Celtic dugout.

Only last season, the Celtic manager watched Philippe Clement get sacked, and then Barry Ferguson followed suit when his interim spell wasn’t turned into a permanent deal at the end of the campaign.

Despite Celtic winning the double and their 55th Premiership crown, Ferguson did well to claim four points from the two Glasgow derbies he managed, including a 3-2 win at Parkhead.

Added to that, after watching Celtic and Rodgers dominate proceedings from afar, including in the Irishman’s first spell, Ferguson got to see what he was all about up close and personal, and he shared his honest thoughts on it all.

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Barry Ferguson lauds Brendan Rodgers after Celtic and Rangers meeting

There is respect from Ferguson towards Rodgers, especially with what he has done during his time in Scotland, and how he is a ‘top-class’ manager.

The former midfielder told Go Radio that he had a ‘good chat privately’ with Rodgers, and how the duo were ‘very respectful’ towards one another, despite the fierce rivalry between both clubs.

“Yeah, good (to deal with),” stated Ferguson about Rodgers. “Very respectful. Obviously, I am very respectful to him, because he has been a manager for a number of years and successful manager.

“It’s great to pit your wits against these guys. The way that Celtic play, you try to surprise them a wee bit. That’s what I tried to do at Celtic Park. I tried to do it at Ibrox as well. We kind of went with a diamond.

“Those are the kind of things that go through your mind because Celtic have got a set way of playing, but listen, he is a top-class manager, and we had a good chat privately.”

Ferguson on chaos after Glasgow derby matches

Scottish football as a whole doesn’t get the coverage like many top European leagues across the world, especially the English Premier League.

But when it comes to the Glasgow derby, it draws the eyes of the footballing world, and Ferguson touched upon that when speaking about how his chats with Rodgers were short because of the media attention post-match.

“No, (no bottle of wine with Rodgers after the game),” responded Ferguson.

“See, after the derby games, we had a good chat quickly after the games, because you know what it’s like. Us getting the victory, and then the draw at Ibrox. You are straight away on media duties.

“Before you know it, you are an hour and a half after the game, and you are shattered. You just want to get home.”