Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has backed his former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to succeed at Celtic.

The Uruguayan spent two years under Rodgers at Anfield and was key to the Reds' title challenge in the 2013-14 season before he left for Camp Nou in a £65m deal.

Eight months on from his Liverpool dismissal, Rodgers was appointed as the Scottish champions' new boss in May and Suarez now plans to keep a close eye on their fortunes this season.

"Brendan was a big part of my development as a player, and he helped me a lot," Suarez told the Scottish Sun. "He's a special coach, and I want to see him do well with Celtic.

"He has made a good start in the Champions League qualifiers, and that is where I want to see him. He is one of the top coaches in Europe and Celtic are a club with a great history. So to see them in the Champions League would be good."

Suarez also backed former teammate Kolo Toure to succeed at Celtic, where he has linked back up with Rodgers after being released by Liverpool this summer.

"Kolo is a great signing for Celtic," he added. "He has so much experience playing at the top level for Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

"He knows what it is like to play in the big games, in the big stadiums, and if Celtic can progress into the Champions League, he's going to be a very important player."

Suarez was speaking ahead of Barcelona's International Champions Cup game with Barcelona, which is due to be held in Dublin this evening.