Sam Wardrop insists being at the Hoops under the current boss in his first spell left him with standards that will last a lifetime
Sam Wardrop lifts Scottish FA Youth Cup for Celtic after 2017 win over Rangers
He never managed a single minute of first-team action for Celtic.
But Sam Wardrop insists just being at the club during Brendan Rodgers’ first spell in charge left him with standards that will last a lifetime.
The youngster was captain of the Hoops side that beat Rangers in the 2017 Youth Cup Final at Hampden.
His only year as a fully-fledged first-team member was spent on loan at Dumbarton before Rodgers gave him the news, in summer 2018, he wouldn’t be offered a new contract.
But Wardrop, who went on to Dundee United, Dumbarton, Airdrie and Swedish side Ljungskile SK, will forever be grateful to the Northern Irishman.
He said: “Brendan told me there wouldn’t be any more contracts.
“I was expecting it because there were three or four right-backs in the team.
“I had a couple of meetings with Rodgers and even him giving me time and space was something he didn’t need to do.
“That’s something that’s always stuck with me, just in terms of how to respect and treat people.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
“I’d imagine it’s still the exact same. It’s probably one of the best environments I’ve been in.
“Even though I wasn’t directly part of the squad, being in the same building, training ground and having conversations with him.. he’s just got high standards and I took a lot of those lessons moving on in life.
“You have to have high standards if you want to succeed in anything. I loved my time at Celtic.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve hung up the boots.
“I’m 27 and not playing to pursue a career, I’m playing for the joy of it.”
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