BEAMING Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on his Celtic players after the champions’ breathtaking 5-1 triumph over Kilmarnock at Parkhead.
And the Hoops boss echoed his statement on the day he returned to the club in June 2023 that he would DEFINITELY be in place for his third year – unless he was “emptied”, as he said at the time.
Rodgers was eager to clear up some comments made in his pre-match media conference when he stressed the club needed to strengthen in the summer.
He talked about adding “freshness” to his squad – as CQN reported – and added: “Either that or the manager goes.”
However, the Irishman, on course for his fourth title over his two stints in Glasgow, vowed he would still be around to see out the third and final year of his contract and suggested there could be talks on a possible extension in the close season.
FIVE-STAR CELTIC…Brendan Rodgers at full-time after the champions’ superb display against Kilmarnock at a rocking Parkhead.
Rodgers said: “If you were sitting in my press conference here on the very first day I arrived, I promised unless I was removed I’d be here for three years minimum. So, nothing changes.
“There’s absolutely no doubt, unless Dermot Desmond tells me differently in the summer, I will be excited and ready for the beginning of the season.
“I was always going to be here for the three years, but I’m sure we’ll have a chat of some sort [about an extension]over the course of the summer. But, for now, it’s focusing on getting the job done.
“It’s been a great, great journey for us up until now. So, we’ll look to finish in the best way we possibly can.”
The champions-in-waiting, who can seal the flag today depending on the result between Aberdeen and Rangers in the noon kick-off at Pittodrie, were unstoppable against shell-shocked Killie and were 4-0 ahead by the 25th minute with a double from Reo Hatate, a 31st of the campaign from Daizen Maeda and a cracker from Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Anthony Ralston, a late substitute for Alistair Johnston, completed the job with a fifth in the third minute of stoppage time.
Following the shock 1-0 reverse in Perth a week ago, there was annoyance the champions blew the opportunity to enjoy a title party in the sunshine in Paradise on this occasion.
VIEW FROM THE TOUCHLINE…Brendan Rodgers applauds after Anthony Ralston’s goal to make it 5-1 for rampant Celtic.
Rodgers, speaking to MailOnline, continued: “I am still frustrated, if I am honest.
“But we can’t do anything about that now. We’ve done everything we could do on this occasion. And whenever – and if it comes – we have to be ready for it. We’ll see what the split brings after this weekend.
“Obviously, we have the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone, so we’re arriving to that in a great place. We can only do our job.
“If Aberdeen win tomorrow, then brilliant. Whoever wins the league is always deserving champions. But what’s important for us was not just to win against Kilmarnock, but in a style that this team has shown for most of the season.
“And that was an incredible reaction to last week.”
Rodgers added: “It was perfect. It’s what we talked about in the week, about having that winning attitude. You mix that with the talent and that’s the type of performance we produce.
WHAT A DOUBLE…Callum McGregor congratulates two-goal Reo Hatate.
“As disappointing as it was last week, I am so happy for the players and the team this week.
“The performance level was so high, especially in the first-half.
“The connections, the speed in the game, the quality of the football, everything that is good about this Celtic team.”
Celtic may well be champions by the time they travel to Hampden a week today for their last-four encounter with rock-bottom Saints.
Victory will pave the way to a return to the national stadium on Saturday May 24 for the silverware showgame and the opportunity to bring down the curtain on another successful season with a world record ninth treble.
