Brendan Rodgers has revealed that as Celtic manager he has encountered genuine tactical challenges due to the number of times his men have faced rival sides, something which he thinks makes it all the more commendable the Bhoys finished the season unbeaten.
The Hoops beat Aberdeen 2-1 in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday to win the treble and finish their domestic season without a single loss.
Over the course of the season, Celtic had to face the likes of Rangers and Aberdeen as many as six times in all competitions.
While Celtic beat the Dons each time, including in the Scottish League Cup final in November, the Bhoys managed to defeat the Gers five times, with the remaining Glasgow derby ending in a draw; Celtic knocked Rangers out of both semi-finals of the domestic cup competitions.
And Rodgers believes it was not easy to play a team six times in a season as it provided the opponents with opportunity to alter their tactics when they faced Celtic again.
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But the Northern Irishman praised his charges for their ability to come through the challenges unscathed and finish the season as invincibles.
“What I also found out here is the tactical challenge”, he said on Celtic TV.
“We’ve played some teams six times this season.
“What that does is, that always gives the opponent the chance to do something different against you.
“It also gives them the chance to surprise you.
“Going to Pittodrie, going to Ibrox and going to Tynecastle – these are not east places to go to.
“So, for the players to come through that and meet every challenge that was put in front of them [is commendable].”
Celtic drew just four games in the Scottish Premiership in the recently concluded season.
