Brendan Rodgers admits he was left frustrated after Celtic were unable to win the William Hill Premiership with their 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock at Parkhead.
The Hoops boss had questioned the mindset of his squad following the shock 1-0 defeat at bottom side St Johnstone last weekend which scuppered hopes of a title party against Killie.
Rodgers spoke about changes in the summer but his players gave a perfect response in the final pre-split game with a whirlwind start which saw them 4-0 up after 24 minutes through goals from midfielder Reo Hatate (two), striker Daizen Maeda and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong pulled a goal back just before the half-hour mark but a last-gasp strike by substitute Anthony Ralston rounded off the scoring and Celtic will be crowned champions if Rangers lose to Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday
“I’m still frustrated it’s not today, if I’m honest,” said boss Rodgers, who reiterated that he would be seeing out his contract at Celtic.
“But we can’t do anything about that now.
“We’ve done everything we could do today. And whenever and if it comes, we have to be ready for it.
“So we’ll see what the split brings after this weekend. We’ve obviously got the semi-finals (of the Scottish Cup against St Johnstone next weekend), so we’re arriving to that in a great place.
“We can only do our job. If Aberdeen win tomorrow, then brilliant.
“Whoever wins the league is always deserving champions. But what’s important for us is not just to win today, but in a style that this team have been in for most of the season.
“And that was an incredible reaction to last week.”
Rodgers, who signed a three-year contract when returning for a second spell at Celtic in 2023, had claimed in the week that Celtic either need a freshness in the squad or a new voice in the dugout if they are to guard against complacency.
The Northern Irishman told BBC Scotland before the game he will “150 per cent” remain Celtic manager next season.
In the post-match media conference, he said: “I was just asked the question. But for any avoidance of doubt, because I was surprised when I got asked the question, I think if you were sat in my press conference here on the very first day I arrived, I promised unless I was removed I’d be here for three years minimum. So nothing changes.
“But no, there’s absolutely no doubt, unless Dermot (Desmond, largest shareholder) tells me differently in the summer, I will be excited and ready for the beginning of the season.”
Killie boss Derek McInnes was left wondering how Celtic, on their way to a fourth successive title and the 13th in 14 years, ever lose in Scotland.
The Rugby Park boss, whose side are embroiled in the fight for survival, said: “We put a team out in the second half just to stop the bleeding really and just to use a bit more experience, fill gaps.
“But certainly we made Celtic go back the way a lot more and play around us. I thought we defended really well in the second half. But the first half is where Celtic came out and started like a train.
“When you actually see Celtic like that, you think, ‘How can they lose games? How can they lose games against teams in the league?’
“There’s two world-class goals there, Hatate and Carter-Vickers. Those two goals are first class and it shows you the quality of Celtic have got.”
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
[(Rangers F.C.) Strength]: 1. Rangers F.C. beat Alloa Athletic 4-2 in the last game, avoiding a losing streak. They have a good adjusting ability.2. Rangers F.C. eliminated FC Viktoria Plzen 4-2 on aggregate in the last round of the cup and advanced.3. Rangers F.C. scored 10 goals in the last 5 games with a stable offense, averaging 2 goals per game.4. Rangers F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 5 home...
[(Real Madrid CF) Strength]: 1. Real Madrid CF finished 2nd last season and hope to regain the La Liga title this season. This summer, the team boosted their squad strength. Thus, they are motivated to secure the first win in this opener at home.2. Real Madrid CF's two veteran stalwarts, Modric and Lucas Vazquez, have departed one after another. During the offseason, the club signed Trent Alexande...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. What should we do, guys? EPL 1st Wek !! Sesko vs Gyokeres lastnight They must communicate using sign language… Arsenal fans for the 6th year in a row Chelsea dropped points ? Chelsea really do sign anyone these days...Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1)...
Liverpool cool Rodrygo interest after Chiesa's goal heroicsLiverpool have been linked with Rodrygo amid reports he is free to leave Madrid this summer. But after Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score in the Reds' 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday, The Mirror states that the Italian will stay at Anfield and a Rodrygo pursuit is unlikely.Palace line-up move for Eze replacement from PL rivalsS...
Chelsea Open to Loaning Out Raheem Sterling Again After Arsenal StrugglesChelsea are reportedly prepared to send Raheem Sterling out on loan once more with permanent transfer options dwindling, following the winger’s underwhelming stint at Arsenal.According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are increasingly willing to let the 30-year-old leave on loan again following his disappointing spell at Arsen...
DONE DEAL: Bournemouth Confirm Signing of Ben Doak From LiverpoolBournemouth have officially confirmed the signing of highly rated winger Ben Doak from Liverpool.The 19-year-old has left his boyhood club to join Bournemouth for a reported fee of 325 million, signing a five-year deal.Doak impressed during his loan spell with Championship side Middlesbrough last season, scoring three goals and provi...
Brentford RAISE Asking Price for Newcastle United Target Yoane WissaBrentford have reportedly raised their asking price for Yoane Wissa with Newcastle United interested in signing the striker this summer.Newcastle are understood to be interested in signing the 28-year-old as speculation surrounds the future of Alexander Isak.According to The Standard, Brentford have made a potential deal harder by...
Chelsea Transfer Issues Stall Alejandro Garnacho Signing Amid Nkunku Exit DelaysChelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly being held up due to the club not yet finding a permanent home for Christopher Nkunku.According to The Sun, Chelsea’s ‘steep’ asking price for the 27-year-old is stopping them from making more signings this summer.It’s understood that E...
Crystal Palace Eye Shock Move for Wolves Star as Tottenham Close in Eberechi EzeCrystal Palace are reportedly exploring a surprise move for Wolves player Hwang Hee-chan as Tottenham edge closer to securing Eberechi Eze.According to Sky Sport CH, Tottenham are expected to have their 360 million bid for the 27-year-old accepted by Crystal Palace.Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Eze fe...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss