Celtic Santa got his 'reward' as Brendan Rodgers pays homage to man who capped special day off

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Celtic squad to write history at Hampden next weekend - and paid tribute to Santa who helped make the day so 'special.'

The Hoops boss relished Trophy Day at Parkhead as his side celebrated capturing the Premiership crown for the 12th time in 13 seasons. Rodgers made is an incredible eight out of nine prizes in his two spells as boss – but he’s determined to bag another one in Saturday’s Scottish Cup Old Firm showdown.

Celts signed off for the league season with a thrilling 3-2 win against St Mirren – and even brought back Santa to deliver the trophy after he got booed by fans at Christmas. But Rodgers has quickly set his sights on the National Stadium and he’s convinced his men have the momentum that can sweep them all the way to a dream Double. He said: “It’s another chapter for us. The league this season was always going to be a monumental fight and achievement if we could get over the line, especially with all the various injuries and everything else going on through the season.

“We can draw a line under that. Players have delivered and delivered under pressure. Now we are getting to the Cup. Hampden is an amazing place to play and go and show your football. So, that will be a fantastic way to end the season. It’s very important to have that momentum.

“We won the title on Wednesday and that allowed us to follow it through where the emotion was still there. Maybe in previous seasons we have won it from a bit out and then you have to control the mentality of the team to arrive in that final in a good place.

“This time we are in flow and we are getting better. That will serve well. I made changes because it’s a gig game next Saturday and you just never know what might happen in midweek. I wanted to get as many players in the best condition possible.”

Rodgers told his players to soak up the special atmosphere at Celtic Park on Saturday as they wrapped up the title with an eight point gap to rivals Rangers. Luis Palma stuck late on to deliver the win after Matt O’Riley and Kyogo had pounced to level after St Mirren’s Mark O’Hara had twice fired the Buddies ahead.

Rodgers said: “It was very special. I told the players before the game that the walk up Celtic Way with the trophy is always special. And I told them that the end of the game will be a feeling that would be hard to replicate. But the bit in between was still a working day.

“We wanted to work well and win the game, to get a good feeling going into next week. We made a few changes and we got caught out on the goals, but you saw the mentality of the players to keep going in that heat. And it was a wonderful goal to finish it off.”

Rodgers collected two titles in his first spell in charge and set the ground work for a third. But he admitted he was determined to savour this one second time around.

The Irishman said: “What was I thinking? Enjoy it. I think this is the beauty of coming back here. When I came here the first time I loved every second of it but I was so fixated with the next thing.

“Even on a day like today. So I promised myself that I was going to really enjoy this time however long I am here, and every moment and every special moment because they are not always going to be there. I really, really enjoyed that today, knowing that it was not going to affect the next thing. That’s what experience gives you. We have lots of time to get our preparation in.

“Today was a brilliant Celtic day. The sun was shining, Santa Claus gets his just rewards in the end, and it was just a really special day.”