CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has backed calls for further investigations into the effects of players repeatedly heading footballs.

Billy McNeill’s family made the decision this week to go public with the news that the former Celtic captain was diagnosed with dementia seven years ago and is now unable to speak.

“I’d like to see that happen,” said the current Celtic manager when questioned about proposals for further investigations. 100 percent.

"It’s an investigation where it would be very worth seeing what the findings are.

“You look at the film Concussion. That was a true life story about the correlation between suicide rates among former NFL players and the amount of head contact they had as players.

“The investigation showed that in playing American football from six years old until the end of their careers these players had 70,000 contacts with their heads. And the film looked into the trend of NFL players committing suicide and whether it was to do with the effect on the brain.

“That all came from an investigation led by an incredible Nigerian doctor. That was a real eye-opener for me.”

Players of McNeill’s generation often headed heavy leather balls, which were made even heavier when waterlogged.

“You can’t ignore that,” added Rodgers. “We’ve seen the balls in the museums with the big laces on them and you had to head that. So it would be worth getting the findings of the research. And if the McNeill family is open to that, then I think that’s a good step.”

Rodgers was raised on stories of the Lisbon Lions and the heights McNeill’s team reached.

As such, he maintains that Celtic’s most successful captain will always be held in high esteem.

And Rodgers has also insisted that the club will do all they can to support the McNeill family as they help the former defender through his debilitating illness.

“I think he is one of the true great legends of the club,” said Rodgers. “A real icon of Celtic. He led the greatest-ever team here. He was the leader of that team.

“He was an incredible player and went on to be a real successful manager here too. I grew up hearing all about ‘Cesar’ and Billy McNeill.

“It’s clearly sad, the news that has come out. I saw him last at Celtic v Aberdeen. When you think of the figure of the man he was and what this can do you, what age does to you as well.

“But he’s certainly in the thoughts of every Celtic supporter, every person who works here. He’ll never stop coming to the games I’m sure, when he can.

“His wife has done an incredible job with him and is there for him.

“They and the family have all the support from us they’ll ever need.”