Rodgers: We can’t stick the sombreros on
THE WIT of writer Gore Vidal produced the quote which, if applied to Glasgow, neatly sums up the relationship between Celtic and Rangers. ‘It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.’ This is why some Celtic supporters could live with their team failing to win a seventh straight title at Hibernian tomorrow. In need of three points for the title, the champions-in-waiting have five games to tie things up. And the final Old Firm league game of the season at Parkhead next weekend would be the most satisfying way to do it. On the back of a 4-0 thrashing of their bitter rivals in the Scottish Cup semifinal, a chance to intensify the suffering around Ibrox by securing the league championship against them is irresistible to some. Brendan Rodgers, a supporter with professional responsibilities, sees things a little differently. ‘I am a Celtic fan but I don’t want that,’ said the Celtic manager. ‘I want to win it on Saturday. ‘If we can do it, great. It will be a tough game for us, probably the most difficult place we could go to win it. But if it doesn’t happen, it is okay. We go to the next game and, if not, the next game.’ Celtic last won the league title at Easter Road 45 years ago, two goals from Dixie Deans and one from Kenny Dalglish securing an eighth straight title. Hibs have drawn two of their three games with the champions already this season, offering no guarantees of a title party tomorrow lunchtime. If it is delayed, many will live with the temporary setback comfortably. Yet Celtic enter the game in a good place. The bigger the domestic game, the better they seem to play, with the enjoyment of their biggest Hampden win over Rangers since 1969 enhanced by the post-match bust-up which ended in the suspensions of Kenny Miller and Ibrox captain Lee Wallace. ‘Listen, that is the game, isn’t it?’ shrugged Rodgers as he pondered Rangers’ troubles. ‘If you lose a semifinal, it’s tough. If you lose to one of your great rivals, it’s difficult. Everyone knows what the fallout from these type of games can be. But we coped with it.’ Beating Hibs would secure the league. To win a second successive domestic treble, Celtic have to maintain their competitive rhythm until the Scottish Cup final against Motherwell on May 19. With a short close season before Champions League qualifiers, Rodgers would like to give his players rest, but needs to find a balance. ‘We still need to work,’ he said. ‘We’ve got some time to the next weekend, we can’t just stick the sombrero on. ‘There are hard games leading in to the cup final, which is way down the road.’ Rodgers has reached a compromise with Scotland boss Alex McLeish over the friendly internationals in Peru and Mexico on May 29 and June 2. ‘I spoke to Alex,’ he said. ‘Some of them might go, definitely not all of them. There’s good dialogue but my job is to protect Celtic and the players. But I know every case is different.’ Striker Leigh Griffiths has already expressed a desire to travel to South and Central America after a season disrupted by injury. Confirming Celtic are also talking to the striker about a pay rise, Rodgers added: ‘I’d love to have him here and tie him down. Talks are ongoing with his representatives.’