Rodgers impressed by players’ desire

Brendan Rodgers recognises the focus in the eyes of his Celtic players as they prepare for what could be a historic season finale.

The Hoops resume the quest for their seventh successive Ladbrokes Premiership title with a home game against bottom side Ross County on Saturday.

With the Betfred League Cup already in the bag and a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park next month to look forward to, a second successive domestic treble is on the horizon and Rodgers believes his players are in the right frame of mind.

“We are moving into a real exciting period with nine, hopefully 10 games left with the league and Scottish Cup games,” said the Northern Irishman.

“It is a real exciting period for us. The players are back and I can see it in their eyes.”

Celtic are attempting to become the first team in Scottish football history to achieve back-to-back trebles.

“It was a similar feel this time last year. We know we are entering into the real business end of the season now,” Rodgers added.

“We are in a great position in the league, in a cup semi-final and a wonderful opportunity to again rewrite the history books.

“It is something we are very focused on but it will be a real collective. The supporters are going to be massive for us over this next couple of months.

“The support they give us is absolutely incredible and this well help drive us on. It is a real exciting time.”

The Staggies are rooted at the bottom of the table under co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson, who were put in charge until the end of the season following the departure of Owen Coyle earlier in the month.

However, Rodgers is taking nothing for granted although he concedes he can see the finishing line in the title race.

The former Swansea and Liverpool manager said: “Between now until the end of the season all the teams are fighting for different reasons and of course the teams that are fighting to stay in the league will always make it difficult.

“There has been another change of manager so we prepare for a tough game. There are a lot of exciting games ahead but our focus is on Ross County and looking to get three points.

“There is no denying that we are close.

“We have eight games to go, other teams have less. We are 10 points clear with a game in hand so we can’t deny it is not too far away but you can only concentrate on your next game.”

Meanwhile, Ross County captain Andrew Davies is focused on leaving Celtic Park with confidence intact ahead of two huge home games for the Ladbrokes Premiership’s bottom club.

The centre-back accepts games against second-bottom Partick Thistle and Hibernian before the league splits are likely to have a more significant impact on their survival chances than today’s trip to face the champions.

So the former Middlesbrough defender hinted the performance might be the most important factor in Glasgow.

The 33-year-old said: “You just want to try and stay organised and get anything out of it that you possibly can.

“But it’s important we play well and get confidence going into the games that we know we can win. So going there and putting in a positive performance is all that should be on the boys’ minds.

“If you can take your chances against Celtic, then you just never know. But our main focus is on going there, putting on a good performance.

“The games coming up are massive. In the group we are really confident we can go and get some points against Partick and Hibs, two home games. They are definitely ones I think we can win.”

Brendan Rodgers has praised his players as they hunt another treble.