Brendan Rodgers isn’t shocked to be facing upto Derek McInnes on Saturday.
For over a month the Pittodrie boss was constantly linked with a move to Ibrox but after an approach was finally made McInnes decided to stay on at Aberdeen.
The decision came as a shock to the Ibrox board who published a very angry statement but with Aberdeen back in second place in the SPFL it seems that McInnes’ decision has already been justified.
As Liverpool boss, Rodgers sent Danny Ward on loan to Pittodrie and clearly understands the managerial goals that McInnes has.
Speaking to the Daily Record the Celtic boss said: “I suppose everyone was expecting him to go because of his allegiances there, having been a player and obviously a club he supported but as a manager you also have to have a strategy, it can’t be always with the heart.
“You have to think things through and obviously have to speak to people and find out what the strategy is and if everything is aligned within that before you make a decision.
“Football management, as you can see now, is a precarious business and what is important is that you go into a club that has stability.
“I was very, very fortunate to come to Celtic. I have an incredible board here, a real high level of intellect within Celtic and everything is aligned, from strategy to interest.”
Rodgers added: “He obviously felt at this point in his career that the best chance for him, for that stability and with everything aligned, was to stay at Aberdeen.
“He is a good guy, he clearly wants the team to be better and wants to improve the club.
“I think the job he has done in the four and a bit years he has been there has proven that. I have a big admiration for him.”
Since turning down the chance to move to Ibrox Aberdeen have won three games on the bounce.
Former Celt Gary Mackay-Steven scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Hibs at the weekend although on Saturday they won’t be able to play Ryan Christie.
