Rodgers backs Brown to be 'fantastic manager'

"If he is anywhere near a manager as he was a player, then he's going to be a fantastic manager."

Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on former captain Scott Brown before meeting with the now Ayr United manager on the touchline in Celtic's first pre-season outing on Friday night.

The Scottish Premiership champions have five friendly matches scheduled before their title defence begins and the manager is buzzing to be back in the building.

"It's absolutely brilliant to be back," he told Celtic TV.

"We had a great end to the season and I think everyone enjoyed the off-season but it's really nice to be back and good to see the players and staff again."

Rodgers has already caught up with Brown, running into the former midfielder on holiday.

"I bumped into him in Majorca and I invited him round to my house so we had a nice few wee hours there talking about everything football, Celtic and management," he added.

"It was great to see him and I look forward to seeing him again. These are the early steps in Scott's career and he's still in that process of learning but he has so much to bring to the game as a manager."