Brendan Rodgers says trophies will not define his Celtic career
Friday 25 November 2016 17:41, UK
Brendan Rodgers says his managerial career will not be defined by the number of trophies he wins.
The new Celtic boss is just one victory away from landing his maiden title, with the Hoops preparing to face Aberdeen in the final of the Betfred (Scottish League) Cup this Sunday.
However, despite standing on the brink of collecting silverware at Hampden Park this weekend, the Northern Irishman insists he went into coaching 'to make players better.'
Rodgers said: "When I started coaching my aim in coaching was to improve players, to develop players and if you are fortunate enough and lucky enough as a coach to work with teams that allow you to win trophies, then great.
"Lots of coaches, lots of manager never have that opportunity. Some do, they are blessed to be able to work with players that have the opportunity to do that.
"But it will never define me as a coach, it may others, but it doesn't me.
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"My view has always been 'can I improve players, individually and as a team?' And, of course, the consequence of that is trophies and that is what we want to achieve.
"But, on a personal level, it doesn't affect me whatsoever. Hopefully, over the course of my career, people will respect my work with players and my behaviour off the field and that means more to me than a load of trophies.
"Make no mistake, of course I want to win but I don't lie in bed worrying about it, worrying what I have on my CV.
"There are some coaches I look at and respect all around the world. Guys like Marcelo Bielsa who I have followed intently all my life.
"A brilliant coach, an innovator of players and teams and maybe he hasn't won a whole bagful of trophies over the course of his career but he has had brilliant teams set up that I have always admired and that doesn't make him any worse or less a coach than anyone else.
"As I said, you can be very fortunate as a coach to walk into a team or club that gives you a great opportunity to win trophies but not all coaches are fortunate so for me I don't think it is unique, it is just how I see it.
"But make no mistake, I want to win and my ambition is always for Celtic."
On Sunday, Celtic will be contesting their 31st Scottish League Cup final, having previously won and lost 15 of each. The Dons have won six of their 13 finals.
