“My family would love to see me there in the future. Martin O’Neill and Lenny would have walked to be in charge there and I’m no different.” The words belong to Brendan Rodgers, the interview from 2011.

He didn’t need to walk to Celtic Park; they sent an impressive convoy to collect him.

And it was difficult not to sense an echo of Martin O’Neill in Rodgers’ appointment last night.

READ MORE: New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers vows to succeed in Europe with Parkhead side

It is not just the suggestion that he has been a significant coup for Celtic, a statement of intent from Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond, but also that a manager of some repute has landed on their doorstep.

Time, of course, will tell just how Rodgers lives up to what has been an impressive reception to news of his appointment, but what is not in question was the universal popularity of yesterday’s decision.

And while the news is seen a massive coup for a Celtic team desperate to get back into the lucrative environment of the Champions League, former Celtic and Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie believes that the club itself still carry an equally appealing allure.

READ MORE: Gary Gillespie tells Celtic that Brendan Rodgers will take them back to Euro glory

Gillespie was on a Florida golf course when the news was confirmed last night and the former Scotland internationalist believes that it is an ideal fit between manager and club.

“Listen, Brendan is a big, big coup for Celtic,” he said. “But equally I don’t think people should forget that Celtic can be just as big a coup for Brendan.

“It is a massive club, has a strong reputation and a fabulous pedigree in European football. No-one can tell me that the name of Celtic still does not resonate around Europe.

“It is a superb fit for both of them. Brendan is a guy who loves attacking, open football and he will know himself just what style of play Celtic fans want to see. No-one will need to tell him about the philosophy that underpins the club.

“But he is not a complete idealist either. He is pragmatic and flexible and if he knows he has to play a certain way in order to get a result then he’ll do it.”

That flexibility to change is something that will be eagerly greeted by the Hoops support who were frustrated last season as Ronny Deila stuck to a one-man forward line, and was also reluctant to change his system in games where results were not going Celtic’s way.

Rodgers has a more flexible approach and Gillespie believes that the challenge of guiding Celtic to further success is one that he will relish.

“He is a great coach and we really saw what he done at Liverpool,” said Rodgers. “He took them to a position in the league that no-one has seen from a Liverpool team for a long, long time.

READ MORE: Five things Brendan Rodgers must achieve as manager of Parkhead side Celtic

“He is a real student of the game. He analyses, he watches, he is always ready to change his system and tweak his tactics if it isn’t working and he has a willingness to go in a different direction if he thinks the game needs it.”

And Gillespie expects that next season will offer an intrigue and appeal that has been absent for some time from the Scottish game.

With Rangers trying to sign Joey Barton and looking to challenge Celtic next term, it will be an interesting clash between the two teams as they go head-to-head in the domestic campaign next season.

And Gillespie believes there will be a few more turning in to see the way it pans out.

“Brendan is hugely regarded,” he said. “His reputation speaks for itself and I think that it is an appointment that will have made a lot of people down in England sit up and take notice too.

“It is a cracking statement from Celtic. It shows you the extent of their ambition and where they are going as a club.

“With Rangers coming into the league this season there is real intrigue in what will happen in Scotland this season and this is the kind of appointment that generates interest north of the border.

“That is what you want. But from Celtic’s point of view, it will always be more than just domestic football. They want to succeed in Europe, they want to be making a name for themselves in that environment.

“And if Brendan can take Liverpool to the brink of the Premiership title, then what can he do with Celtic? It is a great fit and I sincerely believe it will prove to be a fabulous appointment for both the manager and the club.”