It may not have worked out for the now Swansea City manager at Reading but his successor knows that he did play a part in assembling the squad that he has taken to Wembley.
Rodgers left Reading in December 2009 just a few short months after taking charge and six months before he was appointed at the Liberty to replace Paulo Sousa.
It was a short tenure at the Madejski Stadium but one that McDermott now acknowledges played it's part as the two managers prepare to go head to head in Monday's showpiece clash.
McDermott told the Western Mail “He brought Jobi McAnuff, Shaun Cummings and Brian Howard to this club, so yes he signed some good players while he was here,” said the former Arsenal and Cardiff City midfielder.
“Every manager that’s been at a football club, and at our club, deserves credit.
“For whatever reason it didn’t work out but that’s history. He’s moved on in his life, this football club has moved on and that’s what you do in football.
“He’s done a great job at Swansea and he’ll be getting a hell of a lot of credit there and rightly so.
“I thought he would do well. He studies the game, he’s done his homework and he’s been in and around football for a long, long time.
“He’s been a student of the game, he’s a good coach and there was no reason for him not to do well.
“When he went to Swansea I thought that was a really good fit and it’s proved to be the case. I wouldn’t say he’s got anything to prove.
“He’s proved a hell of a lot since last July. Swansea have been knocking on the door and now they’re in the play-off final, so that’s proved he’s done a fantastic job.
“It was a good fit for him with their style of play. They’ve had a team that’s done really well over a period of four or five years under Martinez, Sousa and now Brendan and I’m delighted for him.
“They’ve got plenty of threats,” he said. “The two wide players have got pace and there’s Borini, they’re all comfortable on the ball and will accept the ball.
“So we know what they’re about and I’m sure they’ll know what we’re about.
“There are no secrets. I know the way Swansea play and he’ll know how Reading play. That’s how it is, and then you leave it to the players on the day.”
