Celtic chief Dermot Desmond won’t stop Brendan Rodgers from talking to Arsenal
Realism kicks in as Desmond says: 'I don't think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal'
CELTIC chief Dermot Desmond will not prevent manager Brendan Rodgers talking to Arsenal.
Should the Gunners come calling for the 45-year-old former Swansea City and Liverpool boss it seems he can go with the Hoops' blessing.
Although he hopes Rodgers' "love for the club and the set-up here will induce him to stay," Desmond is open to the possibility of losing the Northern Irishman.
He said: "He's an outstanding person. We wouldn't want him to leave but we won't force him to stay.
"I don't think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal.
"It will be Brendan's decision and his decision only."
Rodgers is on target to retain the Scottish League title, the Scottish cup and the League cup this season, having strengthened Celtic's grip on domestic matters during his three-year reign.
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Rodgers was forced into early retirement at Reading at the age of 20 due to a genetic knee condition.
But he continued playing non-league football for Newport (IOW), Witney Town and Newbury Town.
He became youth coach at Reading and, after spending time travelling Spain to study coaching methods, left to become head coach at the Chelsea academy.
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Swansea was his next port of call and he took them into the Premier League.
Then after an impressive first campaign, in June 2012 Rodgers was unveiled as the new Liverpool manager following the departure of Kenny Dalglish.
He managed over 160 games at Anfield and, with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling on board, took them to second in the Premier League before getting sacked in October 2015.