BRENDAN RODGERS has mapped out the route for his Celtic players to arrive on a high for the season’s grand finale at Hampden as the curtain comes down on another successful crusade.
The Hoops boss was delighted with the champions’ 3-1 victory over Hibs in a sunshine carnival at Parkhead yesterday.
Now Rodgers will demand something similar – if not identical – when the team travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday for the Scottish Cup Final dress rehearsal before focusing on the last Premiership outing of the campaign against St Mirren on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow on Saturday.
It’s a pleasure the Irishman has enjoyed on three previous occasions – twice in his first stint and again in last term’s comeback campaign – and he is ready to revel in the celebrations following the team’s thirteenth championship success in 14 years and the 55th crown in the club’s illustrious history.
HIGH HOPES…Brendan Rodgers looks heavenwards as Celtic overcome Hibs 3-1 at Parkhead.
And Rodgers is determined to carry the feelgood factor in the end-of-season soccer showpiece at the national stadium where he has the opportunity to steer Celtic to their sixth treble in nine phenomenal years.
Reflecting on a job well done against the in-form Easter Road team with Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Reo Hatate on target, the Hoops gaffer said: “I thought the performance was outstanding.
“We started very well and pressed the game how I wanted us to press because Hibs are a very good side who have had a very good season, but we really dominated that aspect of the game.
“We went a goal behind, but we stayed calm and we got the two goals, which was very pleasing. We did so many good things.
“I said to the players beforehand that to be that team of dominance, it’s not about possession, it’s not about skill, it’s not about talent, it’s your counter-pressing and to really press the game, because this was a team that, if you don’t, then they can break through very quickly.
“But I thought we were so intent in our work – our pressing, our aggression – and then that allowed us to build the platform for us to pass the ball. We were very crisp and clean.”
HAMPDEN JOY…Brendan Rodgers holds sloft the Scottish Cup after last season’s win over Rangers and the Celtic boss is aiming for an action replay this time around against Aberdeen.
Rodgers wants his players to continue the momentum over the next two games and all the way to the Scottish Cup crescendo a week on Saturday and, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Our success over a number of years now has been based around building from the past.
“We were the champions two weeks ago and now we’re building towards the next two weeks.
“And for that I wanted us to make sure we were concentrated, professional and put in a performance that we can be proud of, take that to Aberdeen and then take it to Trophy Day.
“And then arrive into the Final in a really good place.
“It’s not about resting on your laurels and knowing what you did a couple of weeks ago as a champions. It’s about building on that and we did that.”
