Brendan Rodgers Defends Former Celtic Recruiter

During Celtic's recent AGM, manager Brendan Rodgers defended former head of recruitment Mark Lawwell against criticism, emphasizing Lawwell's significant contributions, including bringing in manager Ange Postecoglou and other players like Alistair Johnston. Rodgers expressed respect for Lawwell's decision to leave, highlighting his commitment to Celtic's success. As Celtic prepares to face Hearts, Rodgers is optimistic about maintaining their unbeaten streak in the Scottish Premiership, while acknowledging the challenges posed by the venue and the post-international break context. This match marks Rodgers' first encounter with Hearts' new manager Neil Critchley, with whom he shares a history from their time at Liverpool. Both managers have expressed mutual respect, with Critchley previously praising Rodgers' approach to youth development. The match at Tynecastle is set to be a crucial clash as Celtic aims to solidify their position in the league.