)
Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman and his former coach at Leicester City are set to meet again when Atalanta host Celtic in the Champions League.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on his former player Ademola Lookman as they prepare to face each other in Wednesday's Champions League encounter between Celtic and Atalanta in Italy.
Rodgers, who brought Lookman to Leicester City on loan in 2021, expressed admiration for the Nigerian international's development into one of Europe's standout forwards, particularly following his remarkable Europa League performance last season.
)
07:20 - 23.10.2024
'It's a serious matter' - Victor Boniface's boss addresses absence from Brest vs. Leverkusen UCL tie
Victor Boniface's near-death accident at the weekend forces him to miss the crucial Champions League clash against Brest.
PAY ATTENTION: Join the BETTING PROF Telegram channel now
"He's an absolute top professional," Rodgers declared per Independent.ie. "I'm so proud of him and his career that he's had because he's a young guy out of London and wasn't scared to travel – going to Germany at the time and obviously coming up to the north-west of England to Everton."
The Celtic boss, who witnessed Lookman's historic hat-trick in Dublin from the stands during last season's Europa League final, highlighted the 27-year-old's exceptional work ethic and dedication to improvement.
)
"He leads his life in the right way, everything is geared towards being the best he could," Rodgers continued. "Watching him in that Europa League final, the goals he scored – not by accident. He practised that every day of his life where he could."
Rodgers, who also noted how he missed out on the Nigerian during his first spell with the Hoops, particularly emphasised Lookman's commitment to training, noting how the forward would often stay behind after regular sessions.
)
"He would be out with a bag of balls, doing shooting exercises long after other ones had gone in, working on his right foot, left foot. He's so balanced. He can shoot off his right foot the same as his left foot."
The reunion between the former Leicester duo adds an intriguing subplot to Wednesday's Champions League group stage matchup, where Lookman's Atalanta will host Celtic in what promises to be an exciting week three clash.
)
"He's an absolutely incredible young professional," Rodgers concluded. "To see him score the hat-trick in the final last year was absolutely amazing."
Despite his lavish praise, the former Liverpool will be hoping that the Ballon d’Or nominee and Africa Player of the Year favourite will have a night to forget when they clash in Bergamo later tonight.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)