Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers visits new sports facility named after his parents

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Brendan Rodgers has carried on a strong tradition of Irish Celtic managers.

In the 21st century alone, Irish managers have taken charge of over 800 Celtic games – with Neil Lennon and Martin O’Neill contributing to this too, of course.

All three have been from the North of the country – O’Neill hails from the Derry area, whilst Lennon was raised in Lurgan, Country Armagh.

Rodgers hails from Carnlough in Country Antrim, 20 miles from Ballymena, where he started his brief senior playing career.

He evidently hasn’t forgotten his roots, as new information from the international break has revealed.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers visits sports facility in Carnlough

Rodgers is the eldest of five sons, and played for Ballymena United until the age of 18, when he moved across the water to sign for Reading.

Rodgers eventually managed the Royals 19 years later, but was sacked after just six months, later admitting that the move was a mistake.

READ MORE: Jackie McNamara says Celtic transfer unrest has made it ‘easier’ for Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers has often mentioned his upbringing as a Celtic fan since taking the job – but for obvious reasons, this is a sensitive topic for some.

He has been linked with the managerial job at both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the past, and has not ruled international management out.

But rather than international level, Rodgers has been tapping into local level sport during the international break, visiting Maltina Park, a community sports facility that is being worked on.

The facility is named after the Hoops manager’s parents – a combination of the names Malachy and Christina.

The facility is a collaboration between St John’s Camogie Club and Carnlough Swifts FC.

What has Brendan Rodgers said ahead of Celtic’s match against Dundee?

Rodgers is straight back to work now, with the Hoops looking to build on their late win against Motherwell as they travel to Dens Park to face Dundee.

Speaking to Celtic TV ahead of the game, Rodgers said: “I think it’s always a good opportunity over the course of the international break. We’ve had some of our younger players get some minutes and get some games.

“Others have been able to develop some of their football fitness, but also important to have that period of rest when you’ve just come off the back of a hectic schedule, and then you’re preparing for another one.

“So we want to get the performance level to a higher level, of course, in a more consistent way. It’s a really exciting period. That’s what Celtic is all about, playing in these games and playing the big games.

“And for us, that collective being together is always the attitude that we want to show. And like I say, we’re excited by these games that are coming up.

“We want to go in and embrace the challenges and everyone together fighting for the same cause is what Celtic is about.”