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.

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.

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“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