Brendan Rodgers looking forward to getting league campaign under way at Hearts

Brendan Rodgers takes charge of Celtic for the first time in the Premiership against Hearts on Sunday but Tynecastle is a place he knows and likes.

Rodgers took his former side Liverpool to Gorgie for a Europa League play-off tie against the Jambos in 2012, where the Merseysiders narrowly won 1-0 thanks to an Andy Webster own goal before drawing 1-1 at Anfield to go through to the group stages.

Rodgers, expected to tie up the signing of Scott Sinclair from Aston Villa over the weekend, was impressed with the noise made by the home support that night and expects more of the same against Celtic when the champions begin the defence of their title.

The Northern Irishman who took over from Ronny Deila in May says: ''The atmosphere was great when I was there with Liverpool in the Europa League, it felt as if there were many more in the stadium. I really enjoyed it, we played well in the game. It was a tough game, the pitch is tight - you don't see so much of that now in the stadiums in the Premier League - and the supporters passionate. I think it will be similar if not better, being the first game of the season as well. They will want to see their team do well and Celtic is always a big draw wherever they go and I am sure that will make it that bit more inviting for them. I am looking forward to getting under way. It is a tough start but we would expect that.''

Rodgers revealed his admiration for Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson who paid a visit to Liverpool when Rodgers was in charge.

The former Swansea boss said: ''Robbie is an outstanding coach and manager,'' said the former Swansea boss, who will be without loan winger Patrick Roberts, out for up to three weeks with a hamstring complaint. When I was at Liverpool he came down for a couple of days and I had the chance to have a good chat with him. He was an excellent player for Hearts and he is a very good manager. I am sure his team will be very organised and hard to beat. So I am really looking forward to the first Scottish Premiership game. One objective in coming here was to look to retain the title so it is a tough start for us.''