An emotional Brendan Rodgers expressed pride in his Celtic players for dealing with the pressure and winning the cinch Premiership in style.
The title was sealed with a 5-0 victory over Kilmarnock as Celtic produced arguably their best performance of the campaign.
Celtic only needed a point and early goals from Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda sent them well on their way before James Forrest’s effort removed all doubt before half-time. Matt O’Riley’s second-half double ensured it was the Hoops’ biggest away win of the season.
Celtic had fallen behind in the title race in February despite being seven points clear of Rangers after Rodgers’ first seven league matches back in charge following his spell at Leicester.
🖼 Hang it in the Louvre.#CelticFC🍀🏆 pic.twitter.com/ttBDeJmQXI
— (C)eltic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 15, 2024
But they got back on top in mid-April and the triumph at Rugby Park made it 22 points from eight games.
Rodgers said: “Firstly, the performance of the team was amazing. I am so proud of how they dealt with pressure over the last few months and how they stepped up against a Kilmarnock team that is coached so well and is so organised.
“To play the game to that level, tactically, with speed, everything I want in a team. I have always had speed, creativity, unpredictability, power. It was so good and it was a joy to watch. To make us champions, I’m so proud.
“I would have probably been dreaming of that moment over the time I was away and hoping it would happen again. It’s a really good feeling.”
Late in the game, the Celtic support reprised their song about Rodgers “coming home to lead the green and white”, a staple during his first spell in charge but a chant he had not heard for some time following the mixed reaction to his return.
Rodgers was clearly emotional when asked about that moment.
“It felt really good,” he said. “I thought they had forgotten my name! But it was about the team and the support staff.
“There was so much stuff in the first six months, it felt a little bit awkward, I have got to be honest. And awkward for everyone, I think it was a bit surreal. And there was a lot of challenges from a management perspective, a lot of tedious stuff that took place. I have never had that before in my career.
“The challenge was making sure the inner voice of the team was right, no matter all the negativity that has followed the team all the way through.
“It was making sure we stay on point with our work, our preparation and focus and the team will get to a level and intensity to what my teams normally play. As if by magic, that’s how it ended up.
Du du du du duuuuu! 🙌#CelticFC🍀🏆 pic.twitter.com/5itEXBb3g3
— (C)eltic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 15, 2024
“The spirit has been key – no winning team doesn’t have that. You have to have that.”
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes admitted Celtic were too good but was frustrated that Idah’s opener came while home defender Robbie Deas was lying with a facial knock after being caught by the goalscorer’s arm.
McInnes said: “It was probably the toughest 90 minutes we have had to endure. Partly us but congratulations to Celtic, they would have beaten any team in the league tonight.
“Subconsciously, when you play against a team who have much more on the game, it’s difficult. Celtic played with such an intensity, never let us breathe and came after us. If we are going to press, we need to do it much better.
“That said, the first goal should have been pulled back. (Referee) Don Robertson apologised to me at half-time. He said he didn’t think it was a foul and VAR kind of agreed but he knew it was a head knock and he should have stopped the game. It’s poor from him because he’s a good official but at least he apologised.
“Celtic didn’t need a helping hand but they got one.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
- 1 Arsenal or Chelsea to win Premier League? Week 2 overreactions
- 2 TIPS - Puebla FC VS Monterrey
- 3 TIPS - Jeju SK FC VS Gwangju FC
- 4 TIPS - US Cremonese VS US Sassuolo Calcio
- 5 Kobbie Mainoo Informs Manchester United of Desire to Leave on Loan
- 6 Daily Laugh - Utd's 25/26 season summed up
- 7 Liverpool table fresh Marc Guehi bid as Reds hope £35m proposal will finally convince Crystal Palace to sell centre-back
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 TIPS - Nagoya Grampus VS FC Tokyo
- 10 TIPS - Liverpool VS Arsenal