Sport nationBRENDAN RODGERS ISSUES OMNIOUS WARNING AS CELTIC SET SIGHTS ON TITLE FINISH
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has challenged his team to maintain their relentless pace and finish the season strongly as they close in on another Scottish Premiership title.
Rodgers’ side have maintained a commanding 13-point lead at the top of the table, and with just 10 games remaining, the Northern Irishman is eager to ensure his team does not take their foot off the gas.
“The whole point was to get to this point of the season in the best place we possibly could,” Rodgers explained. “We have 10 games to go, having the lead that we have, having already won a cup, having shown progress in Europe, we arrive now into this stage of the season where virtually from Saturday we’ll go into one game a week.”
Rodgers believes the reduced fixture schedule will allow his team to recharge and refocus, enabling them to finish the season in style. “The freshness, the ability to train, to work on things becomes a great advantage for us, and that’s all we can ask,” he said.
The Celtic boss was full of praise for his players, who have endured a grueling schedule in recent months. “The players have really set a top standard,” Rodgers said. “It’s been relentless for the last three and a half months. In the last three months, we’ve played over half a season’s games in three months. I think it’s 23 games or something we’ve played.”
Despite their impressive lead, Rodgers is adamant that his team cannot afford to become complacent. “We have the advantage in the league, of course, but for me, it doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “We have to go into every game to win and to perform at the highest level we can.”
Celtic’s next challenge comes in the form of a trip to St Mirren, a team they have dominated in recent meetings. Rodgers, however, is wary of the threat posed by Stephen Robinson’s side. “We were very good in our previous meeting, but you have to be, because Stephen’s an outstanding coach and manager,” he said.
With the title within their grasp, Rodgers is determined to ensure his team finishes the season in style. “The whole nature is to start fast and finish strong as a top team,” he said. “We started really well, and now we arrive into a part of the season where we want to finish really strong.”
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