Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, enjoyed last season's record breaking Invincible campaign for just three days before fear of complacency propelled his thoughts onto his next challenge.

The 45-year-old is just one game away from penning another chapter into the Scottish history books this season, an addendum that would compliment last term’s achievements. Rodgers became only the third man in the Parkhead side’s history to enjoy a clean sweep but that he did so without losing a game placed him in a unique niche.

If there was relief at delivering such a joyful campaign in his inaugural season, it did not last long. Only days had passed following Tom Rogic’s dramatic winning goal at Hampden when Rodgers was fretting about how to kick on, how to follow from the perfect domestic season.

Rodgers watched his side put on a swashbuckling performance to clinch the title against Rangers on Sunday afternoon, but as the players set off to party in Tenerife and enjoy the fruits of their labour, the Parkhead boss was far more conservative with his celebrations.

“Look, the bad times are just around the corner,” he said. “So, no, I can’t really sit back and enjoy this. I had this last season, you know. We won the treble against Aberdeen and then three days into my break, I had this fear of complacency. It’s a fear I always have.

“We produced a document on the traps we must not fall into to ensure we succeed over the longer term. So, you can’t enjoy it too much.

“When you are gone, when you are out of it, you can look back and all the nice moments can become clearer for you. But not right now.”

Celtic’s fluency hasn’t been the same as last season’s but there have been glimpses, such as Sunday’s performance against Rangers, when it has clicked and Rodgers’ side have been ruthless. However, tree domestic games have blotted the copybook and the points tally is lurking around what it was in both of Ronny Deila’s seasons.

Still, it would be churlish to quibble with the manner in which Rodgers raised the bar at Celtic.

“If you want continued success, and for continued success to happen, then you simply cannot afford complacency,” said the Celtic manager. “No matter how many titles you win, no matter how well you have played, you have to prove yourself every day, and take that mentality into the games.

“This is hugely important. You must prepare well all the time. Every day. You can’t go soft, which is very easily done. You see it in football all the time, and in business as well, that if you do go soft after success, it doesn’t work. You have to keep pushing and that’s been the real pleasing factor of this season for me.

“Okay, we have shown we are human, we have lost three games domestically in two years, and that number shows, more than anything else, the consistency of the players. The mentality shown by them over the 20 or so months I have been here has been exemplary, it really has.

“That is important, sustaining such a high level of performance, and it’s something I am aware of is needed as I lead the team. I want to make sure they are allergic to being complacent and lowering their standards.”

And while senior managers and the experience they have garnered over years in the industry is something that Rodgers looks to utilise, it is the area of business where he also finds transferable lessons that can be taken onto the training ground.

“You are always looking and learning,” he said. “That’s important. I am always one for that, for observing things presently and historically as well. I also look into business. There is evidence through time in business – and football as well – of companies and teams who do really well and then suffer. It is so easily done. It’s a natural thing.

“To anticipate that is the most important thing. To being able to anticipate what might be and I think at the end of last season, when we won the first treble in 16 years and the fourth in Celtic history, that we knew we couldn’t rest on our laurels, that we had to go again.

“I think our performance levels this season proved the players haven’t become complacent. And we are now on the verge of doing something remarkable. That’s why have to lead and take the group with you.

“I read various things. There is a great little book called (I think he said) ‘Hunger in Paradise’ which is based around all the challenges you face.

“Really, it’s all about people. It’s about manging peoples’ expectations and continually striving. That kind of thing interests me a lot. And, of course, none more so here at Celtic because this is my life, it’s my work.

“During my time at the club, I have to do my very, very best for Celtic. And I will.”