Brendan Rodgers slams critics after decisive Old Firm win

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hit back at critics who treated him "like a novice" as he hailed the mentality of his team following a season-defining victory over Rangers.

A 2-1 Parkhead triumph moved Celtic six points and seven goals clear of their rivals with two cinch Premiership matches left.

The champions had lost a seven-point lead over Gers but never saw the title slip out of their own hands and they have moved within a point of glory ahead of Wednesday's trip to Kilmarnock.

By his own admission, Rodgers has had a challenging first season back at Celtic Park with injuries to the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda affecting performances.

The low point was back-to-back league defeats by Hearts and Kilmarnock in December, which prompted former Celtic striker Chris Sutton to argue that Rodgers was "going through the motions".

"From a professional perspective there will be doubt," the 51-year-old said after his 13th victory in 17 games against Rangers.

"From a personal perspective, I am surprised in a way where I heard somebody saying 'Brendan Rodgers was going through the motions’ earlier in the season.

"Now, I get to work between half seven and eight o’clock every day of my life. I leave the training ground between half six and seven o’clock at night. And then when I get home, I have my dinner and probably flip on the computer and watch more football.

"Now, if that’s going through the motions, I want to know what every other manager is doing.

"So, from a personal level, I have been treated like a novice since I’ve come back here. Like it’s my first job.

"However, my principle objective is to make sure Celtic win. Part of that is a part of the criticism and I understand that.

"But it’s