Rodgers hails his history makers

BRENDAN RODGERS was basking in the glow of breaking a 100-year-old British record after his Celtic side stretched their unbeaten domestic run to 63 games.

A 4-0 triumph at St Johnstone saw Rodgers and his players overtake a mark set by Willie Maley’s Hoops side during the First World War.

Maley was Celtic’s first manager and in the role for 43 years after spending the bulk of his playing career at Parkhead – he was at the club for the first 52 years of their existence.

Boyhood Celtic fan Rodgers appreciates the enormity of his side’s achievement.

“I just said thank you to the players because for everyone – Celtic supporters and staff – it’s a really special day,” he said.

Mentality

“A century-old British record which was held by Celtic. It’s no mean feat in modern sport, in particular football, where players have had to face everything.

“You think of going behind in games, playing big semi-finals and finals, being tired in games, different surfaces, everything that has been thrown at them.

“That level of mentality and standard they set every day in training, they really take that on to the field. It’s a proud day for everyone.”

St Johnstone were the last Scottish team to beat Celtic but never looked like repeating the feat.

Scott Sinclair fired home after a 28th-minute corner and Celtic stepped up a gear in the final 18 minutes, with Moussa Dembele and Olivier Ntcham scoring either side of Steven Anderson’s own goal.

When the previous record was set by Maley’s side during the First World War, only league football was played.

During that time, Celtic won the league four times in a row and instrumental in that success was an unbeaten run of 62 matches.