It really isn’t easy- Rodgers fires back at his critics

Brendan Rodgers has thrown out some home truths to the critics that have attempted to downplay a potential treble.

One reporter at the Daily Mail went as far as to describe it as a tedious treble, the online reaction to that has been incredible, without quite answering it directly Rodgers made his feelings known, people inside football appreciate what is involved, the requirements, the essentials for success.

Opposing managers know the difficulty, Derek McInnes and Simo Valakari have both watched blistering 20 minute displays from Celtic over the last two weeks. When Celtic find top gear no club can live with them as a treble comes into sight.

One point over five matches will secure the title but the season will retain focus with a Scottish Cup final coming on May 24, 10 days after a visit to Pittodrie.

With prizes in sight Rodgers won’t tolerate the slacking that crept in from mid February to mid March.

Few managers these days will admit to following the media but clearly Rodgers knows the tone of many media outlets since the Scottish Cup Final place was booked.

People on the outside maybe underestimate the difficulties in meeting the high expectations that the club has set over the years. Is that something that you talk about the sacrifices the players make to get to this stage? Is that the thing that people don’t see in dealing with the pressure and the demands of winning every game as well?

Yes, I just think you obviously see reports around a bit more Celtic winning and this and that, but people actually don’t understand what goes into being that consistent to win.

I know that from the outside, looking in, it can maybe feel like that, but the work that goes in, on and off the park here, the Celtic Football Club, from so many people, from the very top, you know, Dermot Desmond, whose experience and knowledge and influence to manage everything and see it from a sort of second position as such, and his intellect and what he brings from the very top is so important. And then you get that right the way through the club.

That then moves to me in terms of looking after the core performance. And then from that, you know your responsibility as a manager here, where you have to drive the players to deal with expectations of our supporters, which we cherish because that always pushes you to be the best you can. So, to live with all of that and deal with all of that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, that is a challenge.

For the players then to come through that challenge and be successful with it, that’s what you would want from your club. So, on top of that, you’ve got to do it consistently and the consistency is there. It’s not an easy thing, this job managing this club and for the players to play for this club.

It really isn’t easy. And that’s why I tip my hat to when I am here and I see how hard the guys work and get those rewards, then that obviously makes me very pleased.