Celtic can complete a domestic cup double against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, and the manager believes his team deserves to finish the season with further trophy.
Brendan Rodgers believes leading Celtic to a league and cup double will be a fitting reward for the challenges his squad faced early in the season.
After winning the Premiership title with one game to spare, the Hoops have the opportunity to finish the season with another piece of silverware when they face arch rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday. The latest derby comes just weeks after Rodgers’ side clinched the championship with a 2-1 victory against Rangers at Celtic Park.
Rangers overturned an eight-point deficit to reclaim title contention at the turn of the year, while Celtic’s defence of the Premiership crown was jeopardised by a spate of poor performances and a crushing injury list. But Rodgers has been overjoyed with his team’s ability to recover and put together a strong run of form over the last two months, and he has showered praise on his players for overcoming a difficult spell.
Speaking to the media ahead of the final, he said: “We come into the game in an ideal condition as we have been on fire in the last few months and have been playing really well. There were lots of challenges for us at the beginning of the season when we played every three or four days with really important players missing.
“But over the course of the season as the pressure moments have built up, the players have been absolutely superb in how they have dealt with that. We arrive having won the league in a really good way and are in good condition for the game.”
The Irishman insists he would love nothing more to pick up another trophy as Hoops boss but says his main motivation for delivering the goods is what it does for the Parkhead faithful. He added: “You can never have that arrogance. We have humility in how we work and respect every opponent that we play, whether it is Rangers or Raith or whoever. We have to prepare for the game.
“For me personally, the satisfaction (of winning the double) would suffice, but it’s more about you give other people. It’s everything for the supporters as they live their life for Celtic, especially in a Celtic v Rangers game. To be able to deliver that for them would be great.
“For the players, it would be a reward for their discipline this season. Discipline is one of the key elements of not just the football on the pitch, but off the pitch. We stay focused and true to our game and the players have got the rewards as the season has gone on. For me it would add another trophy but it’s always been about the satisfaction other people will get.”