May 16 – The usual two-horse race in Scottish football has once again gone Celtic’s way after the green side of Glasgow wrapped up their 54th title, and 12th in the last 13 seasons, with a game to spare after a 5-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
Victory gave Celtic an unassailable six-point lead over fierce rivals Rangers and will be particularly sweet for manager Brendan Rodgers after a season in which he has had to silence dissenting voices.
The former Liverpool boss returned to Glasgow for his second spell in charge 11 months ago but was not universally welcomed back.
Rodgers had won a clean sweep of seven domestic trophies during his first stint between 2016 and 2019 but left under a cloud when he departed for Leicester mid-season.
A banner displaying the message ‘You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt, always a fraud’, was famously paraded at the first match after the Northern Irishman’s exit.
For those opposed to his return, there was plenty of ammunition. Celtic again failed to make a mark in Europe, exiting the Champions League bottom of a group containing Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord.
The club also at one stage blew a seven-point lead before Rangers ultimately went off the rails and Rodgers conceded after lifting the title: “It’s safe to say the first six months were awkward, in so many ways, so many things happening on and off the pitch.”
No club other than Celtic and Rangers has won the Scottish league title since Aberdeen won the old Premier Division in 1985. And more silverware could come for Rodgers’ team when they face off against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final on May 25.
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Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/05/16/rodgers-turns-celtic-season-around-win-spl-title-difficult-start-return/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-05-16 05:22:44
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