FOOTBALL FOCUS

BRENDAN RODGERS reckons everyone at Celtic can see clearly now the pain has gone.

And there are no more obstacles in his side’s way now the dark clouds have lifted around Parkhead.

Rodgers has a straight sight on the Premiership crown but there have been more murky times this term when off-thefield problems have led to a lack of clarity on the pitch.

The Hoops boss has had to deal with plenty of problems from disgruntled supporters to a crippling injury list.

But having hit top spot again in recent weeks, the Irishman now has a feeling he’s not been able to enjoy all year – a sense of being settled.

And he’s hoping the clear view on the horizon can lead all the way to the finishing line.

Rodgers, who claimed the April Manager of the Month award, said: “Everyone is now focused on football. It felt like there were a lot of distractions in the first six months of the season in various ways.

“Once the focus has come in to football and everyone really being together with – that makes a huge difference.

Incredible

“The players feel that too. This is such an incredible fanbase here and it’s an extension to the team staff.

“When they get behind us, as we’ve seen in the last few months, you see the strength in that unity of everyone moving forward. That for me, from a managerial perspective, has been the real catalyst.

“Hopefully we can continue that way. There was a lot of settling in, a lot of adjustment in me coming back, talk of ‘how long is he going to be here?’

“There was Ange Postecoglou leaving after two successful seasons. You lose one manager and another comes in that some people don’t want in!

“There is all that settling going on, then, obviously the principle difference in the performance levels has been the unavailability of players.

“That’s been the main difference at times when maybe the team hasn’t played at the tempo or style you want.

“We’ve missed players that give a dynamism and directness to this team.

“All of that thrown into the pot made it a little fragmented.

“But as time’s gone on, everything’s settled, the team’s picked up important results and performances.

“We are now at the stage when it all comes together and I was would say this is the most settled we’ve been.”

Rodgers felt a shift from the fans in recent times, from the impatient nervousness in the stands, to a more positive force behind them.

The boss is convinced that fanpower can help nudge his side over the line with three Celtic Park clashes in the remaining four matches.

Rodgers said: “They’ll play a huge part. That’s been the difference in the last few months, they’ve been what’s helped keep things connected.

Connection

“The supporters along with ourselves, the staff, everyone are a real connection and extension to the team and what we see on the field.

“That support they give to the team, it’s unrivalled when everyone’s onside and with us.

“To have that in a few of the last few games at home will be special. We’ll also need that patience as well because teams aren’t going to roll over.

“We will have to be patient in the stands as well as on the field as we look to play our game with that speed and tempo.

“But to be at home, on the pitch, with the crowd, then hopefully we can take that advantage with us.”