BRENDAN RODGERS and his Celtic players deserve to take a bow at Tannadice this afternoon if they seal the club’s fourth successive title.
The champions haven’t exactly been lauded by some critics, despite setting a pulverising pace since the campaign kicked off with a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on August 4.
One point against Dundee United will cement the club’s thirteenth championship in 14 years and their 55th crown in their glorious history.
The curtain comes down on another eventful crusade on Saturday May 24 when the holders face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup showpiece at Hampden where a sixth treble in only nine years is on the line in a phenomenal sequence of success.
THREE CHEERS…Martin O’Neill with the treble in 2000/01.
The Hoops had managed the feat only twice – both achieved under the guidance of the legendary Jock Stein in 1966/67 and 1968/69 – before Chris Sutton arrived in a £6million move from Chelsea in the summer of 2000.
The one-time England international striker said: “I remember when the side I played in under Martin O’Neill did the clean sweep in my first season at Celtic and I was told at the time it was only the third time it had ever been done.
“That didn’t surprise me because every single week when you stepped onto the park, you sensed it was a cup final for the opposition and understandably so.
“You had to earn the right to win games and it takes a really strong mentality to have it in place week-on-week.
“When it has really counted this season, Celtic have found that way to deliver and come through and it’s been like that for a little while now.
“As it stands, from our team winning the club’s third treble, we’re into a situation where Celtic could make it nine in total this season with six collected in the space of nine seasons.
“That’s a remarkable tribute to their consistency of performance and mentality and this season’s squad really stepped up.”
THREE CHEERS…Brendan Rodgers achieved the treble in seasons 2016/17 and 2017/18.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Let’s not forget, with just a handful of games to go last season, Rangers had control of the title race and Celtic had to scrap to get over the line.
“The work Brendan Rodgers did last summer to get the unit playing in the way they did through the first half of this season is deserving of massive credit.
“No title should be devalued because of the opposition. It’s not Celtic’s fault that Rangers just don’t have their standards when it comes to producing consistently and when it counts.
“That’s a major reason why it has been quite uneventful in the past couple of months.
“But another is the fact that Celtic excelled and produced some outstanding work in that key period from summer to Christmas.
“Rodgers and his squad had put this contest to bed four months ago.
“So they deserve to celebrate at Tannadice if they get it finished off because, regardless of what any detractors may say, it’s been another terrific effort and one for them all to cherish.”
HAMPDEN HOORAYS…Brendan Rodgers with the Scottish Cup after last season’s 1-0 win over Ibrox opposition at Hampden.
The former Celtic fans’ favourite added: “I’ve got to say, some of the comments leading into their potentially-clinching contest and some feelings attached to their imminent success have been, quite frankly, ludicrous.
“Rodgers and his players have been excellent for the majority of the season and any bid to decry or undermine their work is just nonsensical.
“The run-in has been dull. It has lacked excitement and intrigue and I’m not going to pretend the lack of nerve-shredding games and edge-of-the-seat drama hasn’t been a disappointment.
“But no fingers of blame for that can be pointed towards the Celtic players and management who are about to complete their mission.
“Winning any title is a huge achievement and, while Rangers failed to make a proper battle of it, Rodgers’ team have been outstanding.
“I have nothing but admiration for the relentless nature of this current Celtic squad.”
