Brendan Rodgers reveals final Celtic targets to complete 'stunning season' as boss makes one thing clear over Treble
The Hoops gaffer is honing in on yet another clean sweep - which would be a record breaking third for the Irishman
Brendan Rodgers picked up another award this week when he was named Premiership Manager of the Year.
But there's only so much space on the Celtic manager's mantlepiece these days.
And only certain trophies that get to take pride of place in his home.
Rodgers is honing in on yet another Treble – which would be a record breaking third clean sweep for the Irishman.
These things have almost become par for the course in recent times with Celtic on the verge of a fifth domestic full house in just eight years.
But Rodgers insisted Trebles are anything but the norm – and their significance will never be lost on him.
He said: 'I think it is taken for granted. When I came here in 2016, Jock (Stein) and Martin (O'Neill) were the only two managers to have done it since 1888.
'You think of the number of brilliant managers and players in that time and for it to only happen three times, it shows how difficult it is.'
Rodgers has made it look easy but it's taken hard graft to turn Celtic in to medal machines.
The boss said: 'What I tried to do was get a mindset and a professionalism and passion to add to the quality of the players.
'That if you are going to win, then you have to change your standard every day. That standard allows us to win in the best possible way.
'When I came in, Celtic were already winning. Ronny had done great the previous few years.
'My job was to get the team winning in the very best way, to upgrade everything around what we do on and off the pitch.
'That creates a mentality. We got that first Treble, we gained confidence to get another one and then the culture is in place.
'Neil did a fantastic job winning a Treble, Ange wins a Treble, and now we have the possibility of doing it again.
'But there's so much work in it – it's not something that can be taken for granted.
'Even luck can go against you in games, you can get players sent off or whatever, but thankfully we've managed to be really consistent.'
Clean sweeps have become common and many have already carved Celtic's name into the Scottish Cup as well.
But that's the kind of complacency Rodgers repels against and he won't allow his squad to believe the Treble is in the bag.
Celts can enjoy a stress free trip to Aberdeen tomorrow – where the side will be different to those sent out at Hampden – and then embrace Trophy Day at the weekend.
But no one at Parkhead is clearing space in the cabinet for the cup just yet.
Rodgers said: 'That (assumption) gets mentioned more because of our past. But, like I said to the players last week, we had success against Dundee United, but we build on our past, we don't just sit on it, or glorify in it – especially when there are important games to go.
'We have an opportunity with three games to go to break more records, to finish the season with another trophy.
"That would complete a stunning season for us, having progressed in the Champions League.'
Rodgers is in his happy place right now. The silverware is being stockpiled, but it's more than that.
The Hoops manager is just as pleased his men are doing it in style – and following in the footsteps of legends.
He said: 'Any club's DNA is built around the most successful period. With Celtic, it was the European Cup in 1967.
'Once you have that special success, that's the DNA that runs through the club.
'At this football club, winning is not enough. It really isn't. I understand that anyway.
'That's why the club picks managers that win, but also understand performance.
'There's winning and there's a way to win consistently. It's about having good organisation and structure, and players with talent.
'Winning in a certain way is in the DNA of this club.'
Rodgers will want another win at Pittodrie but there are other factors at play with the teams set to square up again 10 days later at the National Stadium.
There could be a temptation for some mind games but the Hoops gaffer isn't interested.
He'll rest a few weary legs, give game time to others and try to maintain a balance between momentum and freshness.
Aberdeen have their own agenda but they might not get any Hampden hints here as Rodgers reckons this will have no bearing on the Final.
He said: 'No, not really. It's the last of our three-game week. It's been such a long season for us, so many games.
'I mentioned last Friday, I think everyone took that as it was going to be the next game against Hibs that we would make changes.
'But I said over the course of the three games that the team would change, and that's what will happen in this game.
'So I don't think there's any relevance to it. For us, my longer-term goal over this period was to get the squad in the best condition that I possibly could, and that means getting players some minutes and games.
"It's a different context. The Scottish Cup Final is a special game in itself, and when that comes, we'll be ready for that.
"This game is different, but it doesn't change our ambition. 'We want to win the game and importantly, we want to play well.'
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