RANGERS new signing Jordan Rossiter last night revealed he owed his break in football to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
The midfielder, 19, came through the ranks at Liverpool when the Northern Irishman was in charge at Anfield and he found it ironic they are now on opposite sides of a fierce rivalry.
Rodgers handed Rossiter his Liverpool debut in September 2014 when, at the age of 17, he became the club's second youngest goalscorer behind Michael Owen when he scored in a League Cup match against Middlesbrough.
The England Under-19 captain made only three starts and two substitute appearances during his time at Anfield and decided in May to join Rangers for the chance of first-team football in a deal that cost £250,000
Rossiter and Rodgers are set to meet again on September 10 at Celtic Park when the first derby takes place and the Rangers player still has a lot of time for his former mentor.
“Of course, Brendan Rodgers was a big influence on my career and I have a lot to thank him for in terms of my development," said Rossiter.
“It was great to work under him at Liverpool but I’m at Rangers now working for an exceptionally good manager.
"Ii is funny how football works out and now Brendan is working across the city of Glasgow from where I’m working. I couldn’t have predicted that a few months ago but these things happen all the time in football.”
Rossiter only had good things to say about Rodgers and also Mark Warburton who has given him an opportunity to establish himself in senior football.
“Obviously Brendan has managed in the Premier League, he is a good coach and he has got his way of playing," said Rossiter. "We have got a good way of playing as well so it is going to be a good battle. It will be interesting.
“I owe a lot to Brendan. He brought me into the team and gave me my chance but I owe a lot to the gaffer hereat Rangers because he showed faith in me. I am really looking forward to playing under him.
“You want to beat every team in the league and with Celtic being Rangers’ main rivals you always want to beat them. I owe a lot to Brendan. I was only young at the time at Liverpool, I was still coming up and learning my way. I am looking forward to it.”
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