New Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has defended walking out on Celtic at this stage of the season.

Rodgers has infuriated Celtic fans by walking out on the Scottish champions with the club chasing a third successive treble north of the border.

Rodgers, 46, responded: “If I was making the decision with my heart I would be at Celtic for life.

“It is an incredible football club I have supported all my life.

“I have family who are deeply upset.

“But I was presented with an opportunity that came to me and had to remove that emotion.

“I understand the timing issue because if there was an ideal time it would have been in the summer, absolutely.

“This was an opportunity which arose and I had a decision I had to make very quickly.

“I believe this opportunity wasn't going to wait for me.

“This was an opportunity I felt was too good to turn down and I am very happy I made the move.

“We left Celtic eights point clear with a trophy already and in the quarter-final of another competition.

“Now the expectation is to challenge for a European place and look to win a trophy.

“There is such an exciting group of young players and a whole raft of very talented players we can improve and develop.

“There is huge potential to get better and that is something we will look to do."