WE’LL GET BETTER!
Bren’s stunning claim
BRENDAN RODGERS vowed to make Celtic stronger than ever after becoming the first manager to secure consecutive clean sweeps.
The Celtic boss followed an invincible treble triumph last season by winning all three trophies again this time around. His trophy-laden spell at Parkhead continued with Saturday’s 2-0 Scottish Cup Final win over Motherwell.
First-half goals from Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham sealed the deal to spark further celebrations at Celtic.
Quality
But Rodgers is not about to rest on his laurels. “It’s a constant need to improve,” he said.
“I need to push even harder now next year in relation to developing the players here first and foremost – and then bringing in players who can make a difference.
“We have a really young group that are improving and developing, but to make a difference at that level needs greater quality.”
Rodgers, who set a new record of 11 matches unbeaten against rivals Rangers, has been stunned by his club’s success of the last two years.
The former Liverpool boss said: “You could never imagine it could go as well as it has. From the first day I walked in to the club it’s been amazing.
“All the interests are aligned at the club and that allows me to work in confidence.
“But to think we’d be standing here two years later having created history, DOUBLE TREBLE: Brendan Rodgers with Celtic’s three trophies no, I’d be lying if I thought that. I think what we gained from this year is that when you’re not always at your best you can still win. That’s important.”
As well as scouring the globe for new recruits, Rodgers faces a fight to keep star striker Moussa Dembele amid Premier League interest. ROGER JOHNSON was Bromley’s fall guy as Brackley lifted the FA Trophy.
The 35-year-old defender was a League Cup winner at the national stadium with Birmingham in 2011 and lost at Wembley with Cardiff in the 2008 FA Cup final.
Johnson put through his own net in the fifth minute of injury time to throw National League North underdogs Brackley a lifeline.
Brackley went on to win on spot-kicks and Bromley boss Neil Smith said: “Roger’s as gutted as he was when he missed out on the FA Cup here. He prides himself on clean sheets and we thought we’d done it.”
Omar Bugiel fired National League side Bromley ahead in the 19th minute. Brackley levelled when Matt Lowe’s shot hit the post and rebounded in off Johnson.
Bugiel blew a chance to win it on penalties and Jack Holland also failed, leaving Brackley’s Andy Brown to be the hero. Boss Kevin Wilkin said: “You need a bit of luck but these players never throw the towel in.”
Earlier, Shane CooperClarke bagged his 63rd goal of the season to earn Thatcham a 1-0 win over Stockton in the FA Vase final.