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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists he will relish the prospect of a new challenge from Rangers under Kevin Muscat.
The Ibrox side are closing in on the appointment of the 52-year-old Australian as their new head coach, albeit he won’t formally take charge until next month due to his ongoing commitments with Shanghai Port in China.
Muscat could miss up to eight games before he finally arrives in Glasgow following the final game of the Chinese Super League on November 22, but he will become the seventh permanent Rangers manager Rodgers has faced over his two spells at Parkhead.
Insisting his players will be ready to cope with a newly-inspired Rangers side, the Celtic boss said: ‘I think every team that changes manager, you always accept and take on the challenge of new ideas and that freshness that they may bring.
‘I don’t know Kevin that well, but I came across him a few times when I was at Liverpool. He came in to training when I was manager at Liverpool and I spent some time with him there.
‘Then, of course, we travelled over to Australia with Liverpool and met him and Ange [Postecoglou] when I was there. As I said, I don’t know him that well, but he’s done a really good job at the teams he’s been with in Asia.
Celtic manager Rodgers says his players are ready for new Rangers challenge
Rodgers says he met Kevin Muscat, above, when the Australian attended some Liverpool training sessions
Rodgers and Muscat also met during a Celtic pre-season trip to Japan in 2023
‘If he’s to be the new manager coming in, then it’s another new challenge. For us, we’ll be ready for it.’
Rodgers expressed a degree of sympathy with Russell Martin after he was sacked by Rangers a fortnight ago heading into the international break.
The Northern Irishman believes the pressure of managing either of the Old Firm clubs is is often underestimated.
‘I think you’re always disappointed when any manager loses his job and Russell being no different,’ he said. ‘It was a challenge that he’ll learn from in his career.
‘He’s got many more years left as a coach and a manager. I’ve always said, when you manage here at Celtic or Rangers, the pressure really is relentless.
‘You find out things about yourself and this role and this job, and I’m sure he would have done that. I wish him all the best, and he’ll probably have a bit of time out and then look to go again and use this experience.
‘Especially for people down south, and without knowing the level and the intensity and the sheer size of the clubs up here, it’s relentless. Especially Celtic and Rangers, they’re huge clubs. I’ve always said that this job here is right up there in terms of pressure.
‘From managing at different clubs in the Premier League at different times, a promoted club, a mid-table club and a top club, Celtic is right up there at the very top in terms of pressure and resilience needed. It is a challenge for every manager, especially coming into Celtic and Rangers.
Daizen Maeda was the hero against Motherwell but will miss out on Dens Park trip
Alistair Johnston, above centre, is back in training and could be part of squad for Dundee game
‘You only hope that you can meet that pressure and deal with that and somehow succeed.’
Rodgers confirmed that Daizen Maeda will miss the trip to Dens Park to face Dundee on Sunday as he continues to manage a hamstring complaint, but Alistair Johnston is back training once again after missing the past two months and could be ready to join the squad.
However, he seemed to pour cold water on claims that Celtic have already lined up a £6million move in January for former Liverpool midfielder Bobby Clark.
Clark is currently on loan at Derby County from Red Bull Salzburg, with some reports stating that a deal is already in place to join the Parkhead club.
‘It’s one that’s come from a long way out,’ said Rodgers. ‘I wouldn’t normally say anything on anything, but I really don’t know where that has come from at all. Especially in October. I’m really not sure where that’s come from.
‘In terms of the squad for this weekend, Daizen Maeda will be out. He felt his hamstring a little bit towards the end of the last game against Motherwell.
‘He went away internationally to see if it would get better, but he obviously didn’t play when he was away. So, he will miss this weekend, and we’ll assess it after that.
‘Paulo Bernardo’s been ill, so we’ll see how he recovers in the next 24 hours. Apart from that, everyone’s okay.
‘Ali (Jonston) is back in training, which is great news for us. Hopefully, all being well, we’ll finalise the squad tomorrow, but hopefully he’s good to go.’
