Pundit left stunned by 50-year-old gaffer, thought he would end up at Leeds United

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Ally McCoist has told TalkSPORT (Wednesday, 7:45AM) he was surprised to see Brendan Rodgers return to Celtic this summer, instead of taking on the chance to manage Leeds United – with Rodgers signing a three-year deal.

Rodgers, 50, returns to Celtic after he left the Scottish champions back in 2019 to join Leicester. His exit from the Scottish champions then caused criticism of the Northern Irishman, as he waved away a chance of a triple treble.

But he has returned to the Hoops. Given they are in the Champions League group stages next season, that move was always the most likely. Of course, Celtic were not the only club interested in Rodgers, with Leeds also keen.

Phil Hay said Rodgers was the man Leeds “really want” before his move to Celtic. But Rodgers, having managed at the top end of the Premier League, was not willing to drop into the second tier. McCoist thought he’d go to Leeds.

“I was a little bit surprised, Brendan has gone back, it’s just my own opinion. I understand why he has gone back. He was really successful there before. There has been some stick flying about from a section of the Celtic support.

“I can understand the appointment because he knows the club and has been successful before. I thought Brendan might have fancied going somewhere else down south. I thought he would have been in for Leeds,” McCoist said.

McCoist surprised Rodgers returned to Celtic instead of Leeds

Rodgers would have been a stunning appointment, but it was ambitious from us. Perhaps, never realistic. Rodgers is a manager that should be on the touchline in European football. He has earned that right. Hence, his return north.

Leeds have the ability to get to that level but until the Whites are back in the Premier League, Rodgers will be out of our reach. McCoist is perhaps just saying what he has said, in order to wind up a few of the Celtic half of Glasgow.