Taggart & Elliott On ‘Wonderful’ New Rodgers Contract & Leicester Ambition
- Gerry Taggart and Matt Elliott reflect on Brendan Rodgers’ new Leicester City deal
- The Foxes manager agreed a contract extension to 2025 on Friday
- He made a special guest appearance on Matchday Minus Two alongside Taggart and Elliott
The Northern Irishman signed a new deal to 2025 on Friday, and exclusively confirmed the news on Matchday Minus Two alongside countryman and former Fox Taggart, and 2000 League Cup Final hero Elliott.
After Elliott replaced Rodgers on the LCFC TV studio sofa for the second half of the show, the panel discussed the impact City’s manager has had on the squad, the ambition the Club have shown and the atmosphere that has been forged after a brilliant spell of form.
Statement of ambition
Gerry Taggart said: “It’s a statement of ambition, especially the length of the contract. They’ve realised what Brendan has brought to the Club – the style of football, the results. Obviously, with the new training ground opening, which he touched on, and the extension to the stadium, it’s a seamless part to the ambition that this club has.”
A welcome scenario
Matt Elliott said: “It’s happened quite quickly. You feel perhaps that it was a likely and very welcome scenario. It’s done, and it’s wonderful news for everyone involved at the Football Club – the supporters, staff and players.”
Leicester’s ‘unbelievable’ run
Gerry Taggart said: “It’s been an unbelievable run for Leicester. It’s been a bit of a surprise, you could say, but the more you get to see this team play on the pitch, the more impressed you are by them. During Brighton and Sheffield United away, they had to be resilient, and showed they can be resilient alongside the flair that they have.”
The right atmosphere & environment
Matt Elliott said: “For many reasons, it’s exciting for Leicester City fans, but it’s about what you do on the pitch because that has a knock-on effect. You need to create the right atmosphere and the right environment, not just in a football sense. Back in our day, you got a feel about the Club, and an affinity for the Club, so you can understand why everyone is in it together.”
Villa have found their feet
Gerry Taggart said: “They have Aston Villa next, and it’s been a bit of a stuttering start for them, but they’ve found their feet and they’re picking up results. They got beat away at Chelsea and played very well and got a great result against Manchester United in midweek, so they’re not going to be pushovers.”
Elliott keen to extend his own contract…
Matt Elliott said: “They’ve been tested in different ways and they’ve more often than not come up with a solution, which is a sign of a very good team. They’re not just full of ability, but they have spirit and it’s been faultless. It’s a special time, even to the point where I might consider extending my contract with LCFC TV!”
Matt Elliott’s prediction: Aston Villa 1 Leicester City 2
Gerry Taggart’s prediction: Aston Villa 1 Leicester City 2