Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa shares delight at Kemar Roofe's Scottish Premiership title win with Rangers

The Whites head coach did not want Roofe to go when Anderlecht came calling in the summer of 2019.

"When a striker, who scored 15 goals last season [could leave] it would be stupid if I accept this situation," said Bielsa, just before Roofe's big move to join the side then managed by Vincent Kompany.

"But I have to adapt if it finally happens."

Roofe spent a single year in Belgium, scoring six goals in 13 Belgian First Division A games before a calf injury ended his season. Last summer he secured a move back to the UK to sign for Steven Gerrard at Rangers and on Sunday celebrated his first major trophy, Celtic's draw with Dundee United sending the title to Ibrox.

"I follow how each player who has passed through here is doing and I am very happy that Roofe was able to win the Premier League in Scotland," said Bielsa.

"And I regret that he was not able to participate in the last games due to a muscular problem."

Calf problems have disrupted Roofe's season and kept him out of the last two Scottish Premiership fixtures, but he has travelled with Gerrard's squad to face Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

He has often spoken of the impact Bielsa had on him during their single season together at Elland Road. Just after he left Leeds he said: "The only thing I can tell you is he's helped me massively last season, with his style of play, his footballing education he's given to us. I probably wouldn't be in this position, I've adapted to his style, I've improved and it's caught the eye of people like Vincent Kompany. [Bielsa] wants me to continue and improve even more."

Roofe has scored a dozen goals for Rangers this season, including two in his five Europa League appearances. He celebrated the title with Leeds United great Gary McAllister, Gerrard's assistant.