The Ange factor Brendan Rodgers couldn't erase at Celtic as insider reveals boss' inspiring rocket to stars

Celtic produced an invigorating and convincing performance to overpower Slovan Bratislava in an emphatic 5-1 victory in their Champions League opener.

Defender Liam Scales headed in Arne Engels’ corner to send the Parkhead faithful wild after just 17 minutes. The Hoops built further momentum early in the second half thanks to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and record signing Engels.

Kevin Wimmer’s effort for Slovan briefly dampened the home atmosphere but normal service soon resumed when Daizen Maeda and substitute Adam Idah added their names to the scoresheet to send Celtic into second spot in the league phase after matchday one.

Reflecting on the game, former goalkeeper Joe Hart was quick to sing the praises of manager Brendan Rodgers, who he believes has made a sensational impact since returning to Glasgow.

Rodgers returned to Celtic in June 2023 at a time when many supporters and players were still recovering from the departure of treble-winning boss Ange Postecoglou. Hart claims the former Leicester City boss wasn’t able to fully get rid of Postecoglou’s imprint and gave him immense credit for slowly implementing his message.

Hart told BBC Match of the Day: “Brendan came in. There were a few moments, it was his second tenure at the club. Ange Postecoglou had really made his stamp, you can really see in England now the feeling he has with the fans, and that wasn’t lost with the Celtic faithful. We played some incredible football under him.

“It was a tough role to take over. And you know what I love about him. He just took his time. He understood we were well drilled under the Ange Postecoglou regime.  We had ways of playing. People had certain triggers which he couldn’t just erase. So he slowly worked his way. And personally I wasn’t sure I was like ‘is he going to put his stamp on this’.

“But with three or four months to go - Brendan stepped up. He let everyone know what it meant to be a Celtic player. And his methods really complemented what Ange had done. He just put his own spin on it and tweaked little things.”

Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup at the end of last season after a sensational run of form. Hart believes the club are building on that momentum this term and believes the team’s excellent pre-season and favourable Champions League draw stands the club in good stead.

The ex-Hoops hero added: “ I think with pre-season going so well and then next thing you know season starts incredibly well. Favourable draw in the Champions League. And after a night like this it’s just going to get better.”