Rodgers doesn’t want repeat of the jitters to spoil his homecoming
FACED by the most intimidating colours in world football, wobbling legs supported Brendan Rodgers when he last entered Windsor Park some 29 years ago.
Brazil can do that to people. Especially when you are just 14 years of age.
Part of the Northern Ireland squad for a schoolboy international against the South Americans, Rodgers admits his teenage self was a ball of stress. Being able to swap a jersey at least provided a prized souvenir for his late father Malachy.
The emotions at play this evening will be a little different. Confidence constructed through Celtic’s Treble-winning Invincible campaign has travelled with Rodgers on this long-awaited homecoming.
That does not translate into any complacency against Linfield on the first stepping stone towards the Champions League. Far from it, given memories of Lincoln Red Imps 12 months ago
For Rodgers, though, the prospect of facing 10,500 opposition fans in the Belfast ground — with Celtic having declined a ticket allocation — is somewhat less daunting than his visit there in 1988.
‘I was very nervous that night,’ smiled Rodgers in recollection. ‘I think Brazil played against all the home nations that year.
‘It was the age group with the Scotland team which went on to reach the Under-16 World Cup Final the following year.
‘Having the shirt afterwards was amazing. My dad loved Brazil. That was his country, he loved the Brazilians. To be able to get the shirt and give it to him was great.
‘There probably would have been a decent crowd that day. Half of my school was there!
‘That was the last time I was in Windsor Park. I haven’t been back since. I have seen pictures of it, of course.
‘It’s a lovely stadium and, of course, Northern Ireland has always been renowned for its incredible atmosphere.
‘It will be a proud moment to go back to Windsor Park with Celtic. I have a watched a lot of the national team under Michael (O’Neill) in the last few years and he’s made it a real fortress.
‘It will be nice to go back and it will feel like I’ve never been away from it. I’m looking forward to taking Celtic there for a competitive game to narrow our focus. It just so happens it’s in Belfast.’
Local judges insist Rodgers is a well-liked figure across Northern Ireland. The way he has spoken about the sensitivities of the fixture has underlined that respect. Even so, he is still a Celtic manager going into Windsor Park. Linfield fans are unlikely to be chanting his name.
‘I haven’t really thought about what reception I will get,’ he insisted, beginning to grin. ‘I don’t think we will be surprised. It’s okay, it’s fine.’
This first leg was moved back two days to avoid a clash with Orange Order commemorations in Northern Ireland.
Continuing security concerns then influenced Celtic’s decision to refuse tickets, a situation that saddens Rodgers. Twenty-five miles away from his hometown of Carnlough, family and friends cannot travel to the game.
It would be naïve in the extreme, however, to think that Parkhead supporters will be entirely absent from Windsor Park.
Linfield are putting contingency plans in place for that eventuality. And Rodgers remains confident the second qualifying round first leg will not be tarnished by trouble.
‘Is it a concern that Celtic fans will buy tickets? No, because they will behave themselves,’ he said.
‘That’s not a concern but of course we would all like to not have to think about it.
‘We have hosted games over here and there should be a safe environment for fans to go and support their team.
‘But I’m sure everything will be fine, the game will go off and we will talk football.
‘Then we can go back to Celtic Park and it will be a good game for all in front of 60,000 fans.
‘I’m disappointed for the supporters of Northern Ireland, who travel over religiously every week and travel all over the world watching the team. There is now a game on their doorstep and they can’t make it.
‘I’m also disappointed for us as a nation. This is a different Northern Ireland. I know it’s the marching season and all that sort of stuff, but this is a new Northern Ireland and should have been a place where the Celtic supporters could come in.’ On the field, things should be more straightforward. Linfield progressed to this stage with a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory over La Fiorita of San Marino. Like Rodgers, however, Linfield manager David Healy bagged a Treble in domestic football last season. And the iconic ex-Northern Ireland striker can count England and Spain among the list of big-name Windsor Park scalps from his playing days.
‘I have great respect for David and what he has done in his football career,’ said Rodgers of the one-time Rangers player. ‘He will be looking to get a result of course. I only worry about my own team and worry about how we work and how we play. I know where we are at this stage compared to where we were last year is a different place, but it doesn’t make the game any easier.’