BRENDAN Rodgers felt “the stars had aligned” for Celtic at Hampden as they defeated Aberdeen in a breathless William Hill Scottish Cup final to clinch the club’s first treble for 16 years. An injury-time goal from Tom Rogic proved to be the difference after Stuart Armstrong had earlier cancelled out Jonny Hayes’ opening goal for the Pittodrie side.
A flash of lightning lit up the Glasgow sky just seconds before Rogic struck, with his manager wondering if it was a sign that Celtic’s success was simply meant to be.
“Someone said that to me about the lightning,” said Rodgers. “I’m just glad it never hit Tom before he had his shot! Maybe the stars were aligned this year. I remember the centenary year for Celtic and there was just a feeling about this season, too. It’s very difficult for me to describe it at the moment but what the players have done is make history.
“I said to them before the game that we've celebrated being unbeaten in the league, we’ve celebrated the great Lisbon Lions on Thursday night, but today we have to make it. We had to go out and do it and the players showed remarkable courage to go out and get the result.”
Winning a treble in his first season elevates Rodgers to an exclusive pantheon of Celtic greats that includes only Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill.
“It’s a huge honour given what they achieved,” he added. “You see the great history of the club and the great managers, the players who have been here before me. It’s still a very difficult thing to do. So to have achieved that in our first season, alongside everything else that we have done, it’s very humbling.
“I still get a funny feeling….it doesn’t sit quite right with me when you think about it. Jock was a real pioneer and led the club the way he wanted it to go. Martin did an incredible job here. History will judge me. I’ve only just begun really. When I leave here people will look at what I did. It’s been truly enjoyable and a privilege to manage this club. It’s a real special feeling today.”
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