Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers kicks ‘feud’ with Craig Levein into the long grass

BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed he contacted Craig Levein to wish him well in the wake of his recent health scare.

The Celtic and Hearts managers, who go head-to-head at Murrayfield today in the Betfred Cup semi-final, have had a fractious relationship since Rodgers moved north in the summer of 2016.

A succession of high-profile public fall-outs has seen the pair at odds over, amongst other things, Ian Cathro, Scott Brown and the length of the Tynecastle grass.

But, Rodgers explained, previous disagreements were put to one side when Levein was forced to take a break from the game for medical attention at the end of August.

“You understand the pressures of the job when you’re a manager,” he said. “I sent Craig a message, and he got back to me virtually straight away.

“I think it’s only when you are a manager, when you walk in our shoes, that you know everything that we’re under.

“I have a huge respect for Craig. I’d never come across him till I was up here.

“You have your little bits and pieces about lawnmowers and the size of the grass.

“But aside from that, I have huge respect. He’s trying to do something there and build it the right way, and use his experience to go and manage.

“The most important thing at that time was Craig’s health. He’s gone away and made himself better and looks great.

“But sometimes when things like that happen in your life, it allows you to have a bit of perspective.

“He’s probably taken a step back, and I’m sure he’s enjoying it a little bit differently to what you do when you’re right in it.

“He’s got a lot of good experience, having been an international manager, and he has worked down south, too.

“He’s done a fantastic job. Hearts have had a great start and they’ll be a tough opponent.”

While Rodgers admitted he doesn’t always agree with his opposite number, he insists it is all just part of the game.

“We all understand there’s a wee bit of gamesmanship and edge along the way. They make the pitch however they want,” he said.

“Craig wants every advantage they can get, and they have the right to do that. It’s football.

“Ultimately, though, what you base everything on is respect.”

Specifically, the Celtic manager says he has been impressed by his opposite number’s work in the transfer market.

“Craig’s done a terrific job in that respect, if you look at last season and bringing in the types of players he wanted,” he said.

“He’s added some really good players. I think the catalyst for it all is Steven Naismith.

“Having seen him down south, I knew about his professionalism.

“I was surprised when he left Everton as I thought he was one of their key players.

“But I’ve got no doubts – without knowing him – of his influence because of the level he’s played at, and I’m sure along with the other players he’s definitely made them very strong.

“I always recognised him as a very good player when he was at Everton. I think he scored against me at Liverpool in one of the games.

“It might have been 3-3. Suarez scored a couple and he scored, too.

“He was always a player I was impressed with wherever he played on the field. He had a good football brain – technically good with a good eye for goal.

“He works very hard, and when I see him play it’s clear he looks after himself.

“It was a really good move from Craig to bring him in.

“Hearts have made a very good start to the season. The players clearly respond to him as a manager, and they’ll be a tough opponent for us in the semi-final.”