Brendan Rodgers insists he is determined to make history by becoming the first Celtic manager to win three domestic Trebles.
Celtic booked their place in the Scottish Cup final thanks to a 5-0 demolition of St Johnstone yesterday, teeing up a clash with Aberdeen in next month’s Hampden showpiece.
Two goals from Daizen Maeda, along with others from Callum McGregor, Adam Idah and Jota, saw Rodgers’ side run riot in the Easter Sunday sunshine.
It would be the ninth Treble in the club’s history and the third under Rodgers’ command, having achieved the feat twice previously in 2017 and 2018.
If he can make it a hat-trick, that would elevate him above Jock Stein as the only manager to ever win three Trebles in the club’s history.
Brendan Rodgers has still to taste defeat in the Scottish Cup as Celtic manager
Captain Callum McGregor got the scoring under way midway through the first period
Adam Idah shrugged off recent criticism by getting on the scoresheet as Celtic ran riot
Asked if the chance to make history motivates him, the Celtic manager said: ‘Clearly. Yeah, it does, aye.
‘It’ll be 3.1 as well [in reference to Neil Lennon taking over and securing another Treble after Rodgers had left mid-season to join Leicester in 2019.
‘Yes, of course, it’s nice when it comes to you as an individual. For me, it’s what’s best for Celtic. Us winning the trophies.
‘It’s not so much the trophies for me on a personal level, it’s the hard work that goes into it.
‘The values that are there and the idea of how we work and how we play and how we coach the players every day.
‘So that’s what’s more important to me. But, of course, for the club, the history of the supporters, getting the trophy is key.
‘So, for us, we’ve got two more to win and we’ll recover and get ready to finish off the league.
‘We’ve got to keep it going and finish off what could be a really fantastic season.’
Daizen Maeda took his tally for the season to 33 with a well-taken first-half double
Rodgers was full of praise for his team’s performance, with Celtic on a revenge mission after suffering a shock 1-0 league defeat in Perth a fortnight ago.
A four-goal blitz in 10 minutes just before half-time took the game away from St Johnstone as Celtic flexed their muscles in ruthless fashion.
Rodgers insists there will be no slacking from now until the end of the season, with his team having the chance to officially seal the league title next weekend away at Dundee United.
‘I’ve always tried to approach these like it’s my very first time,’ he said. ‘I never get tired of it.
‘I know each game is harder because the teams are really motivated to win. But there’ll be nobody more motivated to win than me.
‘To keep the club succeeding, demanding more from the players and our staff. And that’s why we have success.
‘Nobody goes through the motions here at Celtic. We’re not too carried away when we win.
‘We have to keep our humility because we have to work even harder. But our ambition is there to win, and win for this great club.
One young fan made it a day to remember as he celebrated Celtic’s fifth with goalscorer Jota
‘So, we’re into another final. That was the big ambition from today. It gives us that opportunity against Aberdeen in a month or so’s time.
‘Now we go into a little mini-league where we want to be the best in that little league.
‘The next game is Dundee United to get a result to draw a line under the league. So, yes, really exciting part of the season for us again.’
On the influence of Celtic captain McGregor, who opened the scoring, Rodgers added: ‘He’s just such a special player.
‘I’ve had him in two spells now and managed him for so many games. He’s a real tactical decision-maker in the game.
‘He sets the tempo for the team. He’s a coach on the pitch for me. He also scores such important goals. He was so good today and is a brilliant captain of this football club.’
