When Brendan Rodgers stepped on to the football managerial ladder, he did so at the relatively young age of 35 after his senior playing career was abruptly stopped at 20-years-old due to injury. His coaching studies over the years prepped him for the step up to management and Celtic are now reaping the rewards of his dedication to managerial education. On Sunday the Irishman takes his Double-winning side through to the capital to take on a Hibernian side overseen by another young manager in David Gray, who took up the Easter Road post just 10 days after his 36th birthday back in May. Hot on the heels of seven years as a Hibs player, there were three caretaker stints in three successive years for Gray, and this following year he took up the role for real after the departure of Nick Montgomery. Gray now faces his first home game of his first full season as manager against a high-flying Celtic side, and Brendan Rodgers said: “He’s a club legend, he led the club to one of the greatest days in their history and he’s now making a step in to become a manager. “I’m sure he’ll be really excited about that, and really excited about his first game at home as the manager. ‘But for us our philosophy is we always prepare for a special game – being the next one, so this game is also a special one for us, and that’s what we’ve prepared for all week.’ “But, I’m delighted for David that he’s got the opportunity.” The manager added: “It’s always sad when you see the likes of Nick move on, but David is a young manager at 36 years of age and it doesn’t seem that long ago that I was 35 myself starting, it’s gone so fast. “But I’m excited for him, he’s at a club that he knows really, really well, he’s had three caretaker stints there I believe, so he’ll feel that now is the right time to step forward. “The manager’s full press conference Callum McGregor Transfer Window Celtic’s midfield The Kilmarnock game Amount of games footballers play Match Centre Get Hibernian v Celtic match updates from out official Match Centre – Visit the Match Centre FixturesHibernian Vs. Celtic – Sun, Aug 11th 2024, 12:30
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