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Brendan Rodgers has reiterated his dedication to Celtic following their victory of the Scottish Premiership title, marking their fourth consecutive championship and 55th overall, achieved with a commanding 5-0 win against Dundee United at Tannadice.
Last Sunday, Rangers kept the title race alive momentarily with a dramatic comeback, securing a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen despite being down two goals and playing with ten men. Yet, Celtic’s decisive performance propelled them 18 points ahead at the top of the table, making Rangers’ draw at St Mirren irrelevant to the title outcome.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Celtic manager expressed, “I am very hungry to win. We want to be the most successful team we can be. I will be here next year, 200%. I said 150% a few weeks ago. I have never been happier here.” He acknowledged the recent negative narrative surrounding the league and emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining a strong mindset and motivation, stating, “It’s not our fault we’re 18 points clear and scoring goals.”
Celtic’s scoring spree commenced with an own goal from Dundee United’s Ryan Strain after 30 minutes. Nicolas Kühn then netted twice before halftime, the first coming from a well-placed cross by Arne Engels. Adam Idah extended the lead with a header just after the break and followed up with another sharp finish in the 58th minute.
While Rodgers’s team had a more challenging season than last, where they won the title by a 12-point margin, they sustained a notable performance despite losing four matches. Although the competition has been tough, particularly with Rangers achieving a league double over Celtic this year, the latter remains on track for a treble. Their previous triumph over Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final in December and a recent 5-0 win against St Johnstone have set the stage for a Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen next month.
Celtic’s dominance is evident, as they have secured 21 of the last 26 domestic trophies in Scotland. The challenge now lies in the upcoming Scottish Cup final, with aspirations to achieve six trebles in the last nine seasons.
Captain Callum McGregor praised the team’s performance, stating, “Amazing performance, outstanding. It means the world to us. We wanted to perform because if we do, we know we’ll get what we want.” He highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum ahead of the cup final.
Prior to the celebration, Celtic fans voiced their frustration over ticket pricing, throwing tangerines onto the pitch as a form of protest against Dundee United’s high costs. Concerns had been raised after ticket prices surged to £42 for away supporters amidst the title-clinching scenario.
The match faced interruptions as fans expressed their discontent, chanting slogans and displaying banners that read, “Enjoy the fruits of our labour.” The disruption occurred early in the game, necessitating the removal of the thrown fruit by players and stewards alike. Further delays were caused during the second half due to the tossing of footballs onto the field.
Before the match commenced, a moment of silence was held in memory of Pope Francis, coinciding with the day of his funeral. Celtic supporters paid tribute with banners and flags, chanting “Papa Francesco” before and during the observance of silence.
Source
www.theguardian.com