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New Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers insists he understands why Celtic fans are so angry with his exit.<\/p>\nNew Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers insists he understands why Celtic fans are so angry with his exit.<\/p>\n
The 46-year-old joined the Foxes on a three-and-a-half year deal on Tuesday after walking out of Parkhead, replacing Claude Puel.<\/p>\n
A banner was unveiled during Celtic\u2019s 2-1 win at Hearts in midweek calling Rodgers a fraud, saying he had swapped immortality for mediocrity with the Foxes.<\/p>\n
A video shared online also showed supporters chanting abuse at their former manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen what\u2019s been said but Celtic supporters will hurt. I understand how they feel,\u201d said Rodgers, who signed a deal until 2022 on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are hurting and maybe a little worried in terms of what might happen with me leaving.<\/p>\n
\u201cWords, you always have to be careful with. I\u2019ve seen the banner, the Celtic supporters are hurting. They gave me everything so I\u2019m not going to say anything other than that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a shock and they are probably angry but eventually reality will set in and the work we did will be appreciated.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what gave me the comfort to move is what we put in place there was going to stabilize the club going forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew, coming away, the improvements made will hopefully allow that success to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt may be a little unfair on Leicester, I haven\u2019t swapped coming into a mediocre club.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s recent history has been incredible, they have that ambition to push higher than where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers\u2019 impact has already been welcomed by the Leicester squad, with the 46-year-old lifting the mood at their Belvoir Drive training ground.<\/p>\n
Press Association Sport understands the players have been receptive to his changes, including giving them a monthly training schedule, instead of the weekly plan under Puel.<\/p>\n
He takes control with Leicester 10th in the Premier League ahead of Sunday\u2019s trip to former club Watford.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe expectancy is to challenge for a European place and challenge for a trophy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Leicester achieved was an incredible story, it\u2019s one of the most incredible sporting stories. That will always be difficult to repeat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter a couple of years of instability and sitting mid-table, their objective is to move up. I don\u2019t want to put any pressure on the players. We just have to do our very best.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the remainder of the season we will look to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers is also keen to help vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha after his father and Leicester owner Vichai died, along with four others, in a helicopter crash at the stadium in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has been absolutely brilliant, when you think of the trauma and all the emotion which surrounds him, I have been absolutely astonished with his own stability,\u201d Rodgers added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel I can help him on his journey. For the first time he has made decisions without his father and he has been so courageous and brave through the whole process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers is without Daniel Amartey (ankle) and Marc Albrighton (hamstring) on Sunday.<\/p>\n