As the new Premiership season kicks off this Saturday when Paradise host another Flag Day and the champions begin the defence of the title with a game against Ross County, Celtic’s visually impaired supporters will again be able to hear direct from Brendan Rodgers as he will provide an audio recording of his matchday programme notes to welcome fans to Celtic Park and introduce the day’s action.

Brendan Rodgers was the first football manager in the UK to deliver this service when he began it during his previous tenure as Celtic boss back in 2016.

The club has continued to provide this service ever since and it is something which has proved to be extremely popular.

The audio kicks off the day’s action for our visually impaired fans, who take their seats each match in the Main Stand at Celtic Park just behind the manager’s dugout and in other areas, and it has proved to be a massive success with group.

Margaret Shannon is a long-standing member of Celtic’s Visually Impaired Supporters’ Group and her daughter Katie provides commentary at the matches.

Margaret said: “All our supporters will be delighted to hear from Brendan again. It was something the club started when he was previously manager and ever since then it has added a brilliant new dimension to the matchday experience for our visually impaired fans.

“For people with limited or no sight, anything which can add life and colour to their experience is really treasured. To hear the manager’s thoughts and ideas in his own voice is something which really does add that.

'We are really grateful to the club and to Brendan for taking the time to do this again and we look forward to hearing from him again on matchdays.'

Alexis Dobbin, Celtic’s Disability Access Officer said: “The Manager’s programme notes are a really important way to welcome our fans to Celtic Park and give an insight into his thoughts on the game ahead.

“We are delighted to do this for our fans, and pleased that it can help add to the matchday experience for our supporters.

“Our visually impaired supporters have real challenges in their lives but Celtic Park is a place they love to visit and experience the Celtic Park atmosphere and we want to make it is comfortable, welcoming and exciting as we can.

“We have had great feedback from our supporters on this service and it is something we are delighted to continue to deliver for some very deserving fans.”

Celtic’s visually impaired fans are delighted to hear manager’s matchday thoughts again