BRENDAN RODGERS is a self-confessed fan of Hamilton Academical.

Celtic go to the Accies tomorrow and, in the Celtic manager, Martin Canning has an admirer for the work he’s done at the Premiership’s smallest club.

Rodgers said: “I’ve got a great respect for every team, but I look at them in isolation and I see the work they put in. Martin and his coaching staff always has them very competitive.

“It’s difficult for them but they do a really good job. Off the pitch they had the problem of losing a lot of money, which was a real shame, but the directors do a lot of work and are rightly proud of the club, with the way they give youngsters a chance.

“It’s always a difficult game against them.

“When it comes to manger of the year, there’s always a narrative for different managers in different situations, but you look at Martin, stepping in to coaching after playing in to a challenging job.

“This would be their fourth year in the Premiership if they stay up - it’s an absolutely brilliant job. You can’t underestimate it.

“As a first time manager coming and continually having the motivation for the players to keep going, he’s done a terrific job.”

Rodgers admitted that his team did have to sharper up in front of goal after failing to score against Dundee.

He said: “It is something we need to do better.

“I’m not worried, though. We have scored a number of goals this year. The measure is last year, when we broke all kinds of records, but we always have the desire to be the best and score more.”