Former Celtic star Mick McCarthy has revealed how he stood opposite Brendan Rodgers once in the technical area and knew right away that he was a class act.

Rodgers is on the brink of sealing a sensational return to Celtic for a second stint as manager, according to various reports.

The ex-Republic of Ireland, Wolves and Ipswich boss got up close and personal with Rodgers back in October 2011 when they shared a 2-2 draw at Molineux.

The 64-year-old said: "I came up against Brendan once when I was the Wolves manager.

"Swansea were 2-0 up and bashing us and the Wolves fans were going mad but we rallied late on for a 2-2 draw.

"Brendan was so gracious after the game and I've liked and respected him ever since."

McCarthy revealed that he would welcome Rogers back at Celtic "in a heartbeat" because, above everything else, he is a "bloody good coach."

The 50-year-old quit Celtic back in February 2019 for Leicester City, having won seven out of seven domestic trophies and with the Hoops on the cusp of a third consecutive treble.

Rodgers has reportedly informed the Celtic hierarchy that he wishes to turn the club into a Champions League force once again if he agrees to come back to the helm for a second stint.

The Northern Irishman is also believed to have asked for assurances from the club board that he would be given major investment to enhance the playing squad this summer.

McCarthy insists that Rodgers is the outstanding candidate for the post compared to all the other names in the frame.

Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen, West Ham's David Moyes, Manchester number two Enzo Maresca and up and coming coach Francesco Farioli have all been mentioned as potential suitors.

McCarthy said: "Brendan Rodgers is a fantastic coach. He did an unbelievable job at Celtic.

"He came within an inch of winning the Premier League title with Liverpool, which would have been a tremendous achievement.

"He then went on to do well at Leicester City where he won the FA Cup and guided them to back-to-back top-five finishes before things went downhill.

"Listen we can all do well at a club, then things can go wrong as has happened to me.

"If he comes back and wins the treble again with Celtic, then everybody will think it is a great decision.

"Up until that point, I know that there will still be a few dissenting voices among the supporters.

"That is human nature and only to be expected. From what I am reading and hearing, some of those doubters may be coming around to the thought of Brendan returning as the manager.

READ MORE: Rival fans' reaction to a Brendan Rodgers Celtic return speaks volumes

"He is the highest calibre of managerial candidate that Celtic can possibly attract at this moment in time," he continued.

"Of all the candidates that I have seen linked with the Celtic job I would be having Brendan in front of a whole load of others.

"Just because Brendan quit Celtic for Leicester City in 2019, if that is your sole motivation for not wanting him back then maybe those Celtic fans should focus on what happened before and what he did for the club.

"You have got to be a bit magnanimous with respect to these kind of things.

"It's what he did and what he can do that matters because he's a bloody good coach and he has proven that by being successful wherever he has gone.

"He is also a lovely fella and if he does get the chance to return to Celtic as manager he will be very lucky as not many people get that opportunity.

"He is a good manager and I'd have him back at Celtic in a heartbeat."