HEART ATTACK
Rodgers: I said I wanted to win title the best way possible..let’s do it
BRENDAN RODGERS’ has challenged his Celtic players to go out and grab the Scottish Premiership title in style today.
The Parkhead club will be crowned champions for the sixth straight season with victory today at Tynecastle against Hearts, eight months on from his league debut win in charge of the Bhoys at the same venue.
Rodgers’ invincibles have won 27 games from 29 in the league, scoring 76 goals in the process and it’s just a question of when they get their hands on the trophy. The boss says the time is now.
“I said when I came in that my job was to win it in the best way we possibly could,” said the Celtic boss.
“You can win something and it is not the same feeling but if you win and foster the spirit that you have here, this club can make it really special.
“For me, to share that with the players and the coaching staff and everyone at the club, to make everyone a champion, of course, will be really special.”
Asked what a title win would mean to him in his first season in the job, he said: “It will be a huge honour for me in relation to taking the club in my first year here to the title.
“We are coming off the back of five titles before that. Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila did fantastic and of course we wanted to continue with that.
Rodgers also revealed that he urged Stuart Armstrong to simply maintain his Celtic form during his Scotland debut against Slovenia last weekend.
The 25-year-old midfielder (below) was rewarded for an outstanding season with the Hoops when national team boss Gordon Strachan pitched him in for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park.
A 1-0 victory kept qualifying hopes alive and Armstrong returned to Celtic Park, along with Scotland team-mates Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths, to prepare for the trip to Tynecastle.
“I was delighted for Stuart,” said Rodgers.
“I sent him a message before the game telling him not to think any more or less and not to prepare any more or less than what you always do. Don’t over-think it. Just go and play your game and go and work well.
“I said a few months back, he’s got all the ingredients for the top level with his technique and his physicality.
“He’s become mentally stronger and coping with the pressures of playing at a big club and obviously ultimately international level as well.
“Tactically he’s playing in different systems, he’s becoming more flexible and his knowledge of the game (is better) and that allows you to perform at a higher level.
“So I thought he was outstanding. There were areas of his game he could have been better in but overall he’s delighted with how the week went.”