BRENDAN RODGERS has delivered a personal battle cry as he prepares his Celtic team for the Scottish Cup fifth round encounter against St Mirren in Paisley this afternoon.
The Hoops boss acknowledged it is unthinkable for the champions to complete his second coming without silverware.
Rodgers was a serial winner first time around when he guided the side to SEVEN successive honours, including two outstanding trebles.
The astonishing rate of domestic success came to a halt on August 20 when the holders tumbled out of the League Cup to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in only his third outing since returning to take over from Spurs-bound Ange Postecoglou.
TRUE GRIT…Brendan Rodgers celebrates Celtic’s late victory against Hibs at Easter Road.
The pressure is on the 51-year-old Irishman and there is no room for manoeuvre against Stephen Robinson’s outfit today where a win is an absolute must in order to reach the quarter-finals of the competition with the showpiece showdown due at Hampden on the iconic date of May 25.
The champions have also faltered in the bid for a twelfth title in 13 years, but still sit top on goal difference although Philippe Clement’s club have a game in hand and face managerless Ross County at Ibrox in midweek.
All eyes are on Paisley for the 2pm kick-off and, quizzed if it would be unthinkable not to lift a trophy, Rodgers, speaking to the Sunday Mail, answered: “Oh aye. And not just because of what happened before, but because of my own mindset now in being here again.
“That’s not what the supporters demand and it’s not what the club demands. It’s certainly not what I demand.
“No, I’m here to win. And by the time I leave here, I hope I’ve won a lot.”
