On a Sunday when he could have been managing in the Scottish Cup, Brendan Rodgers instead masterminded a statement win for Al‑Qadsiah, guiding his Saudi Pro League side to a 5‑1 victory over Al‑Hazm and in the process setting a new club record.

Under Rodgers, Al‑Qadsiah have now gone six games undefeated, the longest run in the club’s history with the Northern Irishman at the helm.

That includes five straight wins, a run of form that has seen them steadily close the gap on league leaders Al‑Hilal.

Al‑Hilal sit top after 15 games in a 34‑match season, while Rodgers’ side are currently fifth, eight points adrift. That’s significant progress for a team that was struggling before his arrival, and it’s why he’s now referred to as the godfather of Al‑Qadsiah.

Rodgers’ impact has been tactical as well as psychological. Unlike some recent appointments elsewhere – Nancy at Celtic – Rodgers quickly assessed the strengths and limitations of his squad.

Where others – Nancy – stuck rigidly to systems that don’t fit their personnel, Rodgers implemented a three‑at‑the‑back formation that played to his players’ strengths. Only when he has the personnel to comfortably switch back to a traditional four‑at‑the‑back has he done so.

That adaptability has been key to Al‑Qadsiah’s run.

Helping Rodgers on the touchline in Saudi is former Celtic assistant John Kennedy, another familiar face to Celtic supporters.

Rodgers may not be chasing Scottish Cup glory this weekend, but in Riyadh he’s building something of his own, setting records along the way and leaving a mark on Saudi football in much the same way he once did in Scotland.