Brendan Rodgers 'very satisfied' with title win after mid-season criticism

Brendan Rodgers says it was “very satisfying” to prove his mid-season critics wrong by guiding Celtic to Premiership glory.

The Hoops sealed the title on Wednesday with an emphatic 5-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park just days after beating Rangers at Celtic Park.

They will get presented with the trophy after their game against St Mirren on Saturday in the final weekend of the league season.

It is the third title in a row for the Parkhead side and 12th from the last 13 seasons but it wasn’t all plain sailing after a couple of sticky patches either side of New Year let their city rivals back in the race.

At one stage it looked as though Rangers were favourites for the trophy after they went top of the league in February.

But Celtic managed to turn their form around and had a strong finish to the season to reclaim their title in impressive style.

Three wins and a draw from the four Old Firms games also played a big part in Rodgers winning another league medal in his first season back at the club.

Speaking to the media on Friday he said: “It’s a really special time when you win a title, and when you win it the way we have done. It was a great performance on Wednesday night then obviously that chance to celebrate with the supporters was really special.

“It’s been a season full of ups and downs but ultimately we came good when it matters and I think you are now starting to see the real Celtic and probably what people have wanted to see from the beginning of the season.

“We weren’t at that level for various reasons, but we certainly have been the last couple of months building towards this period of the season and that’s the most important bit.

“I’m not made of wood, we all have feelings and we are all obviously built in different ways, I feel I can deal well with pressure in those situations but it still doesn’t make you immune to everything, but I think what experience has given me is not to become too emotional with words.

“I can trace it away back to August when the headlines were saying I was under massive pressure, and that continued all the way through with various people having their say.

“I had to show a mental strength, as did the team, and eventually the work that we do and the processes we have in place have come through in the end. And that’s why we create habits every single day and for me it is no different.

“It’s been a challenging season in ways I didn’t think it would be, one of two things have surprised me, but that’s what you have to deal with and deal with it well.

“Ultimately, I’m paid here to win and develop a team to play the way the fans want them to play, and I think over this last period we can see that now.

“It was a challenge that was there, but I drive up here every day to do my job full of joy, I absolutely adore working here, with this group of players and the staff at Celtic, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to come back.

“We had to deal with all those situations throughout the seasons, but it’s all worth it and I wouldn’t change it because it makes me a better coach and a better manager having to through what I have gone through this season and I know we will be back bigger and stronger for next season.

“It is satisfying, I feel very satisfied in the work we have been able to do, surprised a little bit that so many people didn’t see what was happening around the team and there was clear reasons why it wasn’t functioning quite the same.

“It certainly wasn’t because I had lost the hunger, or was going through the motions, or never had the hunger for a fight, that’s what some people said and that’s obviously people who don’t know me.

“It’s been very satisfying, it’s all about creating a habit and the players have been brilliant and creating those habits and eventually we get our reward.”