RODGERS HAILS CELTIC
Become the first unbeaten Scottish team to complete treble
CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers praised the bravery of his players as they created history by defeating Aberdeen 2-1 to lift the Scottish Cup and end the entire season unbeaten.
The Hoops fell behind to an early Jonny Hayes strike before Stuart Armstrong’s leveller and Tom Rogic’s dramatic stoppage time strike sealed only the fourth domestic treble in the club’s 129year history.
“The players showed remarkable courage to go and play and get the result,” Rodgers said after his side sealed their first clean sweep since 2001. “It was a very tough game and to win it the way we did was special.
“We had to really respond and show why we are champions, to come from behind to play the way we did in the second half. It is a fantastic achievement and it will take a few days to sink in.”
A record-extending 37th Scottish Cup win was the cap on a remarkable season as the Glasgow giants become the first Scottish team to land all three honours and end an entire season unbeaten domestically.
“It is a monumental achievement and the players have made history,” Rodgers said. “Coming in my job was to try and impose an identity in how we play.
“We have created that. Over the course of the season, our work, our game model and now we can build on that.
“In every game we have found a solution. That’s 47 games domestically unbeaten — it’s an incredible achievement by them. Thankfully I took over a group of players who were very keen, hungry, coachable and willing to learn.”
Rodgers now joins legendary manager Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill as only the third Celtic manager to lead the Glasgow giants to a clean sweep in the week the club celebrated the 50th anniversary of their European Cup win.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Aberdeen, who finished as runners-up to Celtic in all competitions. AFP