Former rival Premiership boss spotted at Celtic training as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston return
THERE was a surprise visitor to Celtic training today at Lennoxtown - in the form of former Hibs and Dundee United boss Jack Ross.
Brendan Rodgers rolled out the carpet for his former Premiership rival, who is now head of coach development at Newcastle United.
Ross, who led Dundee United into Europe, was pictured arriving at training at Lennoxtown with two colleagues as the Northern Irishman put the Hoops through their paces.
Ross - who oversees all aspects of the Magpies' academy and methodology - has presided over almost 300 senior games at clubs including Alloa Athletic, St Mirren, Sunderland, Hibernian and Dundee United.
It's a bromance which goes back to Ross's days as Alloa boss when they met in the cup.
He has said previously: “When I was manager of Alloa we drew Celtic in the cup. Brendan Rodgers was the manager and he invited me to go to Lennoxtown.
"I took him up on it and visited him a couple of times, watched training and spent a bit of time with him after.
“There were a lot of things that I took affirmation from.
"We thought in a similar way, he’s much more successful than me but in terms of how to manage people and behaviour, we’re similar. That was a big influence for me."
There was good news for Celtic fans ahead of Sunday's clash with Motherwell with key defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston spotted in training.
The Hoops’ best centre-back, 26, has been out with a hamstring injury since January 27.
But he has come through training successfully this week with no ill effects.
And that paves the way for him going straight back into the starting line-up for a tricky looking clash in Lanarkshire.
And while Tony Ralston has deputised well at right back, the sight of Johnston returning to fitness will be further good news for Rodgers as he bids to keep pace with Rangers in what seems likely to be a shoot-out for the Premiership title.
Meanwhile, the architect of the foiled Atlantic League has fired an astonishing blast in the direction of the Celtic hierarchy for cynically riding a footballing 'gravy train'.
Shelbourne vice-chairman Andrew Doyle was frustrated when he invited Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and Rangers to form a 20-team cross-border competition featuring clubs from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the Republic of Ireland.
Asked if the Atlantic League blueprint could come back on the table, Doyle said: "Yes it could, of course, but Celtic would have to want to be competitive in Europe and my guess is they're perfectly happy being at the top of a depreciating SPFL forever and then being perennially uncompetitive in the Champions League."
