STEPHEN DOBBIE has revealed how Brendan Rodgers’ man management extends past the training ground and into his players’ personal lives.

The Queen of the South striker played under Celtic boss Rodgers at Swansea City when the Welsh club won the 2011 Championship play-offs and were promoted to the English top flight.

Rodgers’ first year at Celtic could culminate in a remarkable achievement as the Glasgow side close in on the treble, with only the Scottish Cup still to be won. Celtic will reach the final of that competition should they beat Rangers on Sunday.

And Dobbie says the success his old gaffer has enjoyed with the Parkhead side this season all comes down to his hands-on approach to development.  

“What he does in training has a lot to do with why Brendan has been so successful. But it goes beyond that,” said Dobbie. 

“He is so good with his players’ families – he would always go and speak to them, speak to the kids, and it was that which made the players at Swansea go up another level. It made us want to go and get better for him.

“You can see that is still how he works when you watch Celtic. Players like [Stuart] Armstrong have been transformed by Brendan this season. 

“He always knows who he has to put an arm round and who he needs to shout at.”

“Brendan didn’t change for any game,” added the 34-year-old. 

“The work he puts in from Monday to Saturday doesn’t change no matter who the opposition is. And the work he puts in to preparing his team for a game is unbelievable.”