Sunday 2 April 2017 16:46, UK
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is thrilled his side clinched a sixth straight Scottish Premiership title with a performance befitting the occasion.
Rodgers' men have been in a class of their own this season and have yet to taste defeat in the league.
And they wrapped up the title with eight games to spare when a Scott Sinclair hat-trick helped them to a 5-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.
It is the 48th Scottish title triumph in Celtic's illustrious history and they remain on course for a domestic treble in Rodgers' first season at the helm.
The manager told Sky Sports: "It's nice to clinch it of course but to play in the manner that we did was very important to me.
"I always demand the performance. Celtic is a club where the hallmark is our professionalism and dignity and pride and style.
"I felt we started that journey here seven odd months ago in the sunshine (when they beat Hearts in the first League game of the season) and played well and got the win, so it was a nice place for us to clinch it and it was a massive credit to the players."
Asked if he thought Celtic had taken their dominance to another level under his leadership, Rodgers added: "That's for other people to judge.
"For me it's about winning the best way that you can and for me that's about coming in and helping the players play in different systems.
"The style will always be the same. That is always synonymous with Celtic. Over the course of the season the guys have improved tactically and today you could see their comfort. It was a great victory for us and very well deserved.
"There are areas that I think we will improve on for sure going forward. I think it's two-fold. One, they will improve because their awareness of the game is getting better, and I just think I need a couple of (new) players to really compete at Champions League level."
There remains plenty to play for over the remainder of the season for Celtic, who have a date with Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final on April 23.
Rodgers said: "We wanted to tick this box off. That is two now, with the League Cup and the League.
"Our focus is now for the semi-final but I have to think beyond that. I need to protect the players, to make sure they are fresh, and of course we want to win every game.
"The most important thing is my duty of care to the players."
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