The Invincibles Playing Without Fear

Brendan Rodgers is delighted with his team’s style of play, sense of purpose and steely determination to win

 

- Jo Hendry

CELTIC’S 2016/17 Premiership campaign was unprecedented, unforgettable and unlike anything that has ever been seen before as Brendan Rodgers’ side remained unbeaten throughout the whole campaign, winning 34 games and drawing just four as they became Scottish champions for the sixth year in a row.

It was a feat not achieved by the club since the 1897/98 season when Willie Maley’s side won the title without losing a single game in the 18-match campaign.

Brendan Rodgers’ Invincibles gained 106 points, beating the previous record of 103 that was set by Martin O’Neill’s 2001/02 side, while they also netted an incredible 106 goals.

The title itself was wrapped up at the start of April with eight fixtures remaining, the Hoops recording an emphatic 5-0 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle to confirm their status as Scotland’s best side.

The Celtic manager, not surprisingly, was delighted at the title success and the manner in which it was achieved by his squad.

“I think you only need to look at the fact that what we’ve done hasn’t been achieved for more than one hundred years and that tells you how hard it is,” he told the Celtic View. “It’s a monumental achievement by the players, and there’s a real dedication to excellence that’s been shown since I came here.

“I arrived here on my first day – it was a lovely day – and having the supporters there was fantastic too. The trophy was there, but I hadn’t won it. I had no involvement in it and what I wanted to do was go and win it, and until I did, I was never going to touch it. But, I can now and it’s a great feeling.

“It’s been a fantastic season. If we take it right back to the very first game, which was a tough match away to Hearts, we showed what we were capable of that day and we’ve been improving ever since.