Celtic must expect major bids from Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester this summer

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It could be time for Celtic to start gearing up for the mega-money bids this summer if yesterday’s comments were anything to go by.

For those who may have missed it, Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers went in-depth on both James Forrest and Callum McGregor (Daily Record).

In particular, Rodgers touched on the mentalities of both players, and claimed it was that of Premier League level. Rodgers turned both of their respective careers around at Parkhead, and it’s shown in the individual awards this season too. McGregor won the Celtic Player of the Year award, whilst Forrest took the PFA and SFWA titles.

And, in what seems a rather random praising of the duo, Rodgers had this to say on the pair:

“Both boys are focused and they’re top guys off the pitch as well. Callum and James speak well and don’t involve themselves in silly things.

“They lead their lives professionally. They’re not on social media, their only focus is football. They prepare their lives to be footballers. And they both play and train with smiles on their faces.

“They were a joy to work with at Celtic and it was so refreshing for me, in my time there, having just come out of the Premier League. To work with genuine guys who wanted to improve and get better, those two were brilliant to deal with.”

Why wouldn’t Rodgers make a move?

It’s clear Rodgers highly rates both players, and he most certainly should.

Combined, both Forrest and McGregor have made an incredible 129 appearances this season. To put that into perspective, that’s over three league campaigns worth of football. Both have been instrumental in Celtic’s success this season, and to Rodgers’ Parkhead legacy.

And it’s this praise that should make Celtic wary of some big summer bids for the duo. After all, why wouldn’t Rodgers make the move given how much he values both men? Both Forrest and McGregor could easily adapt to the English Premier League, so their quality wouldn’t be a problem.

In addition to that, Rodgers’ Leicester have also been linked with a move for Kieran Tierney (Scottish Sun). So it wouldn’t be surprising if he tried to go bargain shopping up here this summer.

We spoke in the past about rebuffing any bid from Leicester regardless of price as a point of principle. Whilst we stand by it, it’s hardly likely Celtic as a business will operate in that way.

These comments sound like a manager who’s weighing up his summer transfer plans. Rodgers is far too in-depth and praising to not be interested in either, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we start to hear the big-money bids being reported, even if they aren’t welcome.