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Rodgers is the big draw

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Image for Rodgers is the big draw

Peter Lawwell believes that being playing for Brendan Rodgers is the major pull to bring players to Celtic.

Whether it’s Moussa Dembele or Michael Johnston the Irishman has a plan in place for every player with player development evident across the club.

Some managers have no interest beyond getting a result in the next match but Rodgers’ passion for the club is going to leave an impressive legacy for whoever eventually takes over as manager.

Speaking to the Evening Times the hoops chief said: “What makes it easier if you are sitting with a kid, either to keep here or bring here, is that when you really believe what you are saying.

For these kids, it is undoubtedly right for them to come and develop here. It was right for Moussa to come here, it was right for Patrick (Roberts) and it is right for Michael and Anthony (Ralston) who are around it, the next in line to start coming through.

A big sell for us is the manager because he loves developing players and he has such a strong track record of doing that. Playing here in front of 60,000 supporters, playing in the Champions League, developing a winning mentality and getting a profile is what we can offer young players. They then become marketable and they develop quicker here, no doubt about it.

The point to players coming here is that Brendan is a big attraction, especially for young players because they can come here and they will get better. The reputation is well deserved that he has.”

Ralston will travel with Celtic to their pre-season training camp in Austria today despite carrying an injury with Jamie McCart, Calvin Miller and Jack Aitchison also involved.

Celtic will play three matches starting on Wednesday before returning to Glasgow and an Irish double header.

On July 8 they face Shamrock Rovers in Dublin followed six days later by a trip to Windsor Park to play Linfield assuming that they get past La Fiorita of San Marino to reach the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

Celtic open their defence of the SPFL title on August 5 at home to Hearts.

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