WE 3 KINGS

Parkhead icon Broonie says Brendan and his two winning machines ensured Celtic glory double was never in doubt

- CRAIG SWAN

SCOTT BROWN grasped Celtic were facing immense challenges.

But he knew his calm and composed old boss was up top leading the way.

And he was well aware two winning machines in Callum McGregor and James Forrest were on the ground to ensure Brendan Rodgers’ plans were carried out.

It’s why the Parkhead icon never had any doubt those challenges would be overcome.

As a player lifting trophy after trophy, Brown said he would trust Rodgers with his life and that he’d taught him to win.

With his Parkhead time up, there was no one outside of the dressing room who could relate more to what was going on inside during difficult periods of this past campaign.

In the midst of back-to-back league defeats at the hands of Kilmarnock and Hearts in December, Brown’s belief in Rodgers and the squad didn’t waver. He said as much publicly.

And, from his position on the TV gantry during Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final, the 38-year-old was proved 100 per cent correct in that analysis.

With the Premiership trophy already tucked away again following a fight down the run-in, Celtic’s second piece of silverware this season was added at the expense of Rangers again at the National Stadium in dramatic style.

Challenges and issues posed to Rodgers plus his players were met head-on as Brown said: “That’s football, you’re never going to get it all your own way. I never had any doubts.