Gary Gillespie has backed Brendan Rodgers to lead Celtic back into the heartlands of European football.

Rodgers was confirmed as Ronny Deila’s successor just after 5pm last night as Celtic got their man.

And former Celtic and Liverpool defender Gillespie believes that the Irishman will prove to be a massive appointment for the Parkhead club.

“Brendan took Liverpool to the brink of winning the Premiership,” he said. “You cannot underestimate just what a feat that was. They fell short at the final hurdle but the job he done was phenomenal – and I fully expect that he will do that with Celtic.

“I know how hard it is for Celtic to get through the Champions League qualifiers and get into the group stages. But if anyone can get them through that it is Brendan.

“And I would go so far as to say that if Celtic get into the group stages then Brendan will have a right good crack at getting them out of them. He is a fantastic manager, he gets the best out of players, he knows the game and he will have Celtic playing the kind of football that the fans love.

“He is a football man through and through. He will know what awaits for him now at Celtic and he’ll be desperate to get up and get his teeth into it.

“It is a cracking appointment – not just for Celtic, but for Brendan too.”

Rodgers appointment came through the club website, celticfc.net, with Rodgers saying: "I am absolutely delighted to be named Celtic manager. This is genuinely a huge honour for me. I have followed Celtic all my life and to be given this fantastic opportunity and to be part of such a truly great football club is a dream come true.

"I will give my new role everything I have and do all I can to bring our supporters exciting, entertaining and winning football.

"The Club has been in magnificent shape in recent years and has collected silverware regularly during this time. My objective now, of course, is to continue this work, to keep us at the top and again make our mark in Europe.

"I know what a magnificent support Celtic enjoys and I can promise our fans one thing - that I will be doing everything I can to give you a team that you can be proud of and a team that delivers.

"I can't wait to be in Paradise with our team and our fans as we all get to work."

Celtic Chairman Ian Bankier commented: "We are delighted to welcome Brendan to Celtic as the Club's new manager.

"As expected, there was huge interest in the position of Celtic manager but we believe we have chosen the outstanding candidate to take the Club forward.

"Brendan is a man with a tremendous pedigree in football management, he is someone who knows all about Celtic and someone who has a real passion for Celtic. He is also a manager who we believe has the talent, the drive and the determination to bring continued success to the Club.

"We are sure Brendan will receive a fantastic welcome from our supporters and we now look forward with real excitement towards next season as we tackle the many challenges ahead domestically and in Europe."

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "Brendan is a highly-sought after manager and we are pleased that we have been able to bring such a high calibre individual to Celtic.

"He has a huge and genuine affection for the Club. I know Brendan feels privileged to be named Celtic manager and I know he will give us everything he has to be successful at Celtic. Above all, he will bring huge experience, knowledge and ability to the role.

"We wanted to bring one of the biggest and best names to the Club to match our own aspirations and those of our supporters - we believe, in appointing Brendan, that we have done this.

"We have appointed a special manager and we are sure he can bring some special times to Celtic."