Celtic's title win was never in doubt but Brendan Rodgers' success was built on 90 minutes of misery says Robert Grieve

Scottish Sun

26-04-2025

ASK Brendan Rodgers for one pivotal game and chances are it won't be any victory.
The goals and glory arrived, for sure.
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It's been a season with some up and downs for Brendan Rodgers
Credit: Alamy
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SunSport's Robert Grieve has given his take on Celtic's season
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Another domestic title has been wrapped up with five games to spare this season.
When really, the outcome was never ever in doubt.
But the Celtic manager's success this season has been built on 90 minutes of abject misery.
Dortmund away. October 1, 2024.
It was a Champions League night that was supposed to bring hope and promise for his team.
'We play for the dreams of the Celtic supporters,' said Rodgers.
It turned into a nightmare.
His team had been on a nine-in-a-row winning run where they couldn't put a foot wrong.
Right until they fell flat on their face.
For many bosses it could have been an embarrassing defeat that could have had a lasting affect.
Only Rodgers vowed to live and learn.
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He said: 'We went in high in confidence, we felt we were in a really good place.
'We had to start much better as we gave away really cheap goals. And we got punished for loose bits of play and passes. They were ruthless in their finishing.
'It's very difficult for us to get to that level. It's a different level, with the greatest respect. We want to be more competitive.
'My job is to go away and inspire the players again. We need to learn from it or we will get punished at this level.'
Celtic did learn. And fast.
And their education was based on Rodgers' deep-rooted belief that they would NOT change their ways.
It would have been easy to alter his thinking after being ripped apart on the Rhine.
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Rodgers has clinched another title
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
He could have listened to the doubters, of which there were many, who pointed to their wide-open set-up and insisted it was an accident waiting to happen.
Former boss Neil Lennon said: 'They kept playing the same way – passes into dangerous areas and they kept getting picked off. Dortmund are an outstanding team but they have their flaws – particularly down the right hand side, but Celtic played right into their hands constantly.
'They have got to learn quickly. Celtic were exposed.
'They have got to say 'we can't do this away from home against top teams, we have to find another way of playing at times.'
Yet crucially, Lennon did NOT blame Rodgers as he added: 'You can't keep blaming the manager. Celtic have got a top manager in Brendan Rodgers.
'Yes, he wants his team to play football, but he did say, at times, we're going to suffer during the game and they did suffer.'
But Lennon's fellow Northern Irishman did a Limmy.
He didn't back down, he double-downed.
In their next European test, this time away to Italians Atalanta in Bergamo, the team were far more solid defensively.
Centre-backs Auston Trusty and Liam Scales were immense to help earn a 0-0 draw.
But it wasn't a backs to the wall performance. Rodgers did NOT park the bus.
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Celtic players react after Atalanta game
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Crucially, though, the result got Celtic back on track and dispelled the theory that Rodgers' team were only capable of being so good.
That draw was on October 23 and Celtic wouldn't lose again that year. Okay, so the next defeat was a painful one.
But again Rodgers responded to the 3-0 defeat to Philippe Clement's Rangers at Ibrox by vowing his team would recover.
Skipper Callum McGregor spoke his mind in the away changing room and could see from his gaffer's reaction that there had to be a response.
He said: 'You can tell he's hurting, as is everyone.
'So that's the sign of a competitor. It doesn't matter how many points you've got, how many games you've won, or how well you're doing, if you lose one game, it stings and it hurts.
'So that's the sign of a champion and an absolute competitor. So it's good that we feel like this, and we'll use it as fuel to turn around.'
Rodgers didn't ever throw anyone under the bus, though.
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He kept his feelings in-house and would only ever talk publicly of the collective disappointment he felt.
But his team were playing some sensational football by now which they took into the play-off for the knock-out round of the
Champions League, away to Bayern Munich in the Allianz.
They'd lost 2-1 at home a week earlier and weren't given much hope of winning through.
Yet agonisingly, it took a last-gasp, stoppage time equaliser to see the German giants progress.
Despite the disappointment, it was a night of pride for Rodgers and his side. He said: 'We have to remember this is Bayern Munich.
'I thought we were outstanding in the game. We played without any fear.
'I can only take immense pride from the performance. The guys gave everything. European credibility was always going to be important for us this season.
'We have learnt some lessons along the way and played some amazing football along the way. This allows us to build. My unswerving plan is to make this a seasoned club at this level.'
And who would bet against that happening now?
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