Rodgers replies to old bhoys

Brendan Rodgers has taken time to explain to Charlie Nicholas and Stan Petrov that Celtic won’t be handed and trophies on a plate.

It’s three weeks since the hoops were last in action with the 2-1 win at Ibrox confirming their dominance of the Scottish scene.

During the break Nicholas suggested that no one else will win the title during his lifetime while Petrov tipped his old club to win back-to-back trebles!

Every Celtic trophy has been won the hard way with Rodgers having a quick answer to claims that trophies are in the bag.

“If only it was that simple, eh?” he told The Sun in reply to the claims of the former players. “If only you knew every player would stay fit. It’s not as easy as that.

“I respect Charlie, he was a wonderful player and he has done great down south in his work.

“Stiliyan’s a good guy and a legend here at the club. I respect all that but when you’re in it, in first position, it’s never as easy as that.

“There are so many variables in football between winning and losing a game — who is fit, the pitches being great, everything being fine.

“Then you have a great chance but you have seen it away at Hamilton. A poor decision means you lose a man, so you have to find another way and, thankfully, we were able to win and win well.

“It is great for the guys looking in from the outside, but, being on the inside and working it, it is different to that.”

On Sunday Rodgers will take Celtic to Airdrie to take on Albion Rovers in their first Scottish Cup tie of the season.

The artificial pitch won’t make life easy for the hoops but after a three week break Rodgers squad should be fit and relaxed for the resumption of their season.

Straight after the match the draw will be made for the fifth round of the competition.