BRENDAN RODGERS was on a flight to Dublin on Tuesday — after giving himself a single day to soak up the satisfaction of another trophy won.
The Celtic boss spent Monday with his family basking in the Hoops’ Premier Sports Cup final triumph.
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But then it was game over and game on as he flew in for talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond, CEO Michael Nicholson and chief financial officer Chris McKay.
Desmond and Rodgers may share the same deep love for Celtic the fans do but while the Hoops support enjoyed the glory, the decision-makers were busy looking at how to create more of it.
Rodgers said: “How did I celebrate? I went back to the stadium, had a nice couple of drinks with everyone there, which was great.
“Then I went home. You don’t sleep well after games like that. You watch the game and try to analyse and review.
“Monday was a down day with family, then on Tuesday I flew to Dublin for a meeting with Dermot, Michael, Chris and the staff.
“We were just talking about January and what we normally do. You don’t wait for the future to plan for it.
“That’s been the great aspect of being at this club.
“We have a board and a major shareholder who are so invested in the club, the success of it, how they lead it.
“You only need to look over the last couple of decades and how the club has been run and organised, which is at the very highest level of any business.
“But there’s also a real passion for the team clearly.
“There’s always that great level of intelligence on our board and expertise and experience. We try to use it to the best of our advantage.
“So it’s always about planning, looking forwards. Obviously the key people talking about it is important.”
Desmond is now 74 and his desire to stay out of the limelight has created a mystique — but Rodgers insists he is at the forefront of everything.
He added: “Dermot is absolutely entrenched in his whole role as a major shareholder, but also as a supporter.
“The first thing he does when he gets up in the morning is think about Celtic. The last thing at night he thinks about is Celtic.
“Dermot’s passion, energy and enthusiasm for Celtic is unswerving.
“His commitment to the club is incredible. He’s not someone who’s going to be out there.
“But I can tell you, having worked here twice, I know the passion he has for Celtic.
“So, yeah, these type of things sometimes come up if the team loses a game. But it’s all a myth.
“He’s so unswerving in his commitment to Celtic and everything he gives to it.”
Rodgers makes a first-ever trip to Tannadice tomorrow to play Dundee United and said: “I’m looking forward to it.
“I know United’s history from following Celtic growing up and what they were back then and how tough a place it is to go.
“Jim Goodwin has organised his team ever so well and we go there knowing we have to be really good in the game.”
