Brendan Rodgers has vowed to remain at Celtic for at least three years – unless he is sacked by the board.

The Northern Irishman attended his first press conference on Friday afternoon after his return to Parkhead was confirmed earlier this week, where he faced questions on his departure from the Glasgow club back in February 2019.

Rodgers left for Leicester City midway through the season, upsetting supporters who felt betrayed by the decision, but the new Celtic manager insists he will honour his three-year contract – unless he is told his services are no longer required.

“Listen I've signed for three years,” he said.

“I guarantee I'll be here for three years unless I get emptied before that, as they say up here!

“That will be the plan and like I say then we can look at it from there.”

When asked about the fans’ reaction to his departure in 2019, Rodgers insisted he has no regrets over his decision to join Leicester but did regret causing pain to loyal Celtic supporters.

“I would understand how fans would feel,” he explained. “Even when I was doing well I would have had critics. But it was an emotional time, the club was going for 10-in-a-row.

“I never get too emotional with words. The pressure is greater because of what we did first time around but I relish that.

“Hopefully I can prove that to those who don't want me here and shift their opinion. I hope I can still have that relationship with the fanbase.

“It was a sad moment when I left. I don't regret it but I regret the hurt it caused people. I understood what it meant.

“That was my regret - that I hurt people who were Celtic supporters.”

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