Sunday’s dynamic performance at Tynecastle was more than enough for most Celtic fans as they celebrated winning the SPFL title in style.
Following that win any remote concerns that Brendan Rodgers may be tempted elsewhere were firmly dismissed with the Irishman.
Football folk are notorious for their lack of commitment wit some cynical fans viewing a bout of badge kissing as the first signs of an imminent departure.
Rodgers’ words left no one in any doubt about how much he was enjoying himself as manager of Celtic. Professionally and personally it has been more rewarding than he had hoped for.
Since he was welcomed to Celtic by 13,000 fans Rodgers has found a way of words that matches in with the aspirations of the support- and delivered on his pledges.
He wanted to fill the stands and found a queue of fans waiting to buy season tickets, the fabled Waiting List has even resurfaced!
On the park the football has been slick and decisive, that rare blend of great possession matched with a dynamic cutting edge.
Neil Lennon was the first Celtic boss to claim that it wasn’t the end, it was just the beginning, under his fellow Irishman those words and many more have the hoops support hanging on his every phrase.
FILL THE STANDS
With 13,000 fans waiting in the sunshine to welcome their new manager Rodgers told his first media conference: “My job is to get the stands here filled again.
“My job is to get 60,000 back in here and excite the fans, have a team scoring goals and winning. If we do that, we’ll be on the right track.”
Mission accomplished with the bonus of Champions League football, two trophies out of two delivered and an unbeaten domestic run.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION
Six eventful weeks after losing to Lincoln Red Imps Celtic were back in the group phase of the Champions League.
After a nerve shattering 5-4 aggregate win over Hapoel Beer Sheva the Celtic boss said: “I am absolutely delighted for the players, the work they have put in, the mentality and honesty they show and they have got their rewards.
“I am delighted for my coaching staff and the team of people around us because they have had to worked very hard with not many days off, finding ways in which to improve the team in a short space of time and obviously the supporters.
“It is an incredible moment for them, they are going to be back in amongst Europe’s elite and it is where Celtic belong.”
DERBY DELIGHT
Over the course of 90 minutes Celtic put down a statement that set the tone for the season, the trash talk from Joey Barton was binned alongside the #goingfor55 campaign.
Afterwards Rodgers said: “We have scored five but maybe could have had two or three more. You always think optimistically but it makes it sweet when you play that well.
“Moussa is a great talent and he wanted to come to a club who could develop him. His performance was outstanding. He shows his power for the first, his speed for the second and finishing for the third.”
BETFRED CUP WINNERS
Celtic delivered another message at Hampden as they lifted the Betfred Cup in November, beating Aberdeen 3-0 in the first leg of the treble.
After securing his first trophy win Rodgers said: “It’s a real privilege to manage to Celtic, so to win it, I’m happy for everyone, the players, the supporters and I’m very lucky I’m at a club where I’m with people that I know what they’re feeling.
“We’ve got something tangible to show for our work. We’ve started the season really well, played some great football, defended very, very well as a team and they’ve got something to show for their efforts.
“I’m very proud of the team today. Great support, it’s brilliant for them. We’ve not got a couple of days’ rest and them it’s time for Motherwell next weekend.
SPFL CHAMPIONS 2016/17
After watching his side win the title in style Rodgers said: “I’m super ambitious and I told the players that when I came, but I have ambition for myself and for them to be the very best that we can.
“All I can say is that I’m very, very happy in every aspect of my life – I’m in my dream job. That’s the reality of it.
“I signed a four-year contract with Liverpool and 18 months later I was fired. I’m at the stage now where I probably appreciate more what I have. I’ve worked with many clubs in the past, but it’s got a different feeling here.”