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• Brendan Rodgers says meeting the Pope a ‘real privilege’ and ‘life achievement’

  Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has described his meeting with the Pope as a “life achievement”.

  Rodgers was part of a delegation of Celtic coaches, players and directors who were granted a private audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday morning, following their Champions League defeat by Lazio in Rome the previous night.

  Rodgers said: “It was obviously a real privilege for us all to have the invitation to go there.

  “It was a really humbling experience and it felt like a life achievement to meet him. It was so nice, everyone that came out of the room that morning felt really privileged and really honoured.”

  Pope Francis told the Celtic delegation that while winning was always preferred, it was not the most important aspect.

  Quoted on the Vatican website, he added: “More vital is the example you give when winning or losing, both on and off the field. An example that embodies the virtues of courage, perseverance, generosity and respect for the God-given dignity of others.

  “Indeed, Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 with the specific goal of alleviating poverty in the city of Glasgow. This was truly a charitable undertaking for the sake of the most needy of our brothers and sisters.

  “Yet, how much the world of football has changed since then. In particular, the financial footprint of the ‘beautiful game’ has greatly increased, and at times can risk making football only attractive for reasons of monetary profit.

  “The valued legacy of your club, then, places a heavy responsibility upon your shoulders, reminding you to be good role models, especially for young people.”

• Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praises Ange Postecoglou’s impact at Spurs

  Pep Guardiola believes the Premier League is better for the arrival of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

  Postecoglou has made a positive impact since taking charge at Spurs in the summer, with the Londoners having gone unbeaten through their first 10 games while playing in a dynamic style.

  Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City are the next side to come up against the Australian’s troops as they host Spurs on Sunday.

  The City manager said: “He came here and, from nothing, in few months you recognise perfectly his team.

  “Even the games that they didn’t win lately, I’ve been impressed how good many, many things they do are, how many chances they create and how aggressive (they are) in all departments.

  “Every team plays with the desire of the manager. His have done in the past, in Japan, of course in Glasgow with Celtic and now. I think he makes football a better place.

  “As a manager and a spectator I enjoy a lot watching them play with the approach they have. I think all the Spurs fans and the people in England can admit that his impact has been quick and really good.”

  Spurs have gone slightly off the boil since their blistering start, losing their last three Premier League games.

  Guardiola, however, does not expect Postecoglou’s approach to change and is preparing for a tough encounter.

  The Spaniard, whose side are a point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, said: “Absolutely not (will they change). This is not going to happen. I’d be surprised.

  “It is a more difficult competition to win now, every season it is getting better. There are more teams involved and every single game is so difficult.

  “Since I arrived, when (Mauricio) Pochettino was in Tottenham always, Spurs have been there. They’re a fantastic team.

  “Of course they have important absences but I saw the first 15, 20 minutes against Aston Villa and they created an amount of chances. It’s really good for football, definitely.

  “I encourage our fans to come to the stadium because we will have fun.”

  Guardiola and Postecoglou have crossed paths just once before, when City faced the Australian’s former side Yokohama F Marinos in a pre-season friendly in the Japanese city in 2019.

  Guardiola said: “When we played in Japan I saw some clips before we started. I said, ‘wow, there are things that I like’.

  “I said to the players we’re going to face a good team with challenges, intense build-up, intense and high pressing.

  “It was the first time I met him and since then I’ve followed him and seen how good he has done in Glasgow with Celtic, winning trebles and winning a lot of games and now look, in a short time he is there.”

  Guardiola said he enjoyed meeting with Postecoglou, even if one ritual was not adhered to in Japan.

  “He took care of me really well,” he said. “He didn’t offer me a glass of wine, but it was fine!”

• EFL leading scorer Jake Young ‘just wanted opportunity’ after Mark Hughes snub

  Jake Young has outgunned Erling Haaland this season after proving his worth.

  The striker – on loan at Swindon from Bradford – has 16 goals in 20 games and is the top league scorer in England.

  Young is two ahead of the Manchester City goal machine after netting again in Tuesday’s 4-3 win at Accrington.

  Seven goals in his last six games have fired the Robins to within a point of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs, with Young having also smashed in four against Crawley in August.

  It has left the 22-year-old top of the pile and taking the extra attention in his stride.

  “It’s not something I think about on the pitch but when I get off and I’ve scored another one I’ll have a little look. I’m sure Haaland isn’t looking if I’ve scored for Swindon though,” Young told the PA news agency.

  “I normally look at the League Two ones first but since Haaland’s been mentioned I’ve had 10 to 20 people sending me screenshots (of the goal table).

  “I think there was something on Twitter the other day and I had a lot of people sending me that one – but it’s not counting my Champions League goals!

  “It’s nice but for me it’s not a shock. I know I’m capable of this. It’s definitely something I feel like I’ve worked for.

  “Without trying to sound arrogant, I know I can score and play at this level. I’ve just wanted the opportunity to prove it.”

  Young’s time has come after a frustrating and lonely initial spell at Bradford under Mark Hughes.

  The Robins looked at a permanent deal in the summer but he could now be recalled by the Bantams in January.

  It would be a dramatic return after being dumped by former boss Hughes, who was sacked in October, training with the kids, loaned to Barrow and not even joining the first team squad for the summer’s pre-season trip to Spain.

  Having signed a four-year deal after joining from Forest Green in 2022 Young was frozen out despite scoring twice in three league starts.

  “It was mainly one man’s opinion and that’s fine, that’s football. My view was he’s got me there, give me an opportunity to improve. That’s all I was looking for,” said the former Sheffield United youngster, who won League Two with Forest Green under Rob Edwards.

  “I wasn’t looking to play every minute but when I’d been on the pitch I’d shown I could affect games to at least be an option off the bench.

  “I just wanted to learn and improve and I didn’t really think I got the opportunity but football’s about opinions.

  “I was 21 and to be deemed not good enough three months into a four-year deal was tough, especially when it’s somewhere I wanted to be.

  “It something you’ve always wanted to do and when you find yourself not enjoying it anymore that’s the hardest part.

  “It’s something I’ve learned from and I won’t take these spells I’m in now for granted because I know how hard I’ve worked physically and mentally to get here

  “It’s not necessarily about proving people wrong but more proving myself right that I belong at this level and higher. This is the player I know I am.”