Brendan Rodgers might have blown his top at the poor Celtic kitman at Hampden but he’s determined to keep a lid on things elsewhere right now. Because the Hoops gaffer insists it’s time to screw on the trophy head on set the sights on silverware.

Rodgers was caught on camera before last weekend’s dramatic Scottish Cup shootout win against Aberdeen giving club stalwart Stevie Wright a telling off for talking in the ear of Paulo Bernardo. He laughed it off at Lennoxtown yesterday but the message was clear. Rodgers is the man in charge – and the players need to listen to him.

When asked his words before the penalties, the Irishman joked: “Don’t let your kit man near them! Stevie (Wright) got a wee bit of a blast from me, didn’t he? Bless him. He’s a good guy, he’s Celtic daft, he’s Celtic mad, but you have got to know your place…”

For Rodgers, that is top of the pile – at his club and in the league standings. To remain there the manager is well aware that this point of the campaign is more psychological than physical.

Rodgers has called on sports psychologists in the past in his career at Swansea, Liverpool and Celtic. But he’s been in the game long enough to trust his own mentality methods, gathered from studying neuro linguistic programming in his younger days and then more than 700 games in the dugout.

Rodgers said: “I think this is the period where you’ve got to get your trophy head on. You’ve got to get focused on what it takes to become a champion. The players here are well-versed in that.

“They understand the mindset, they understand the psychological traits needed at this stage. Physically, you’ve done a lot of your work. There may be one or two players looking to get back in or up to speed, but in general, it’s all psychological now.

“This is the part of the season where this team has been very good, and this club has been exceptional. The psychology of football is always there, in particular this stage in the season.

“It’s just making sure the players are calm, they’re prepared and there’s clarity around their job. We don’t have anyone coming in externally or anything like that, just a calmness around the environment.

“It’s always in the background. Sometimes it’s the body language that you approach with, and the words you use with the players. I just think at this period of time it is very, very important, that aspect.”

With five league games to go, it’s about confidence, belief and momentum. Celtic have plenty of it on the back of the cup victory last weekend – even if they 120 minutes and spot kicks put a few years on supporters.

Rodgers wants to bottle that feeling but he’s well aware there were elements of the display that can’t be repeated in the run in. He said: “I think it was a really good feeling to get through. The standard of our performance wasn’t what I would have liked.

“But there are times in life when it’s really important to overcome situations and obviously we achieved the goal, which was to get to the final. But we also had to overcome lots within the game. So the players did absolutely brilliantly to get through that and show that nerve and mindset at the very end.

“Now we see ourselves in the final, which is great. But now we’ve got to shift the mindset to the league and that’s where our concentration is.”

It will help having some tired and tested campaigners around. Rodgers sent up a SOS to James Forrest last weekend and the wiseman raced to the rescue. Rodgers hinted there might be more sightings of the 32-year-old in the coming weeks when big game players will be needed to produce.

He said: “James will be very important. He’s a certified winner. He knows what it takes, and having someone of his ability and stature around the team is very important.

“I think you’ve seen it in a number of the cameos he’s produced recently. He didn’t get so much game time at parts of the season he maybe felt he deserved. We were giving other players a chance who were brought in but longer it goes on you see his qualities and what he brings to the team.

“His mindset and the calmness he brings, along with his quality, will be really important for us. It’s something I have always been impressed with, when I came here the first time and when I left to go to the Premier League, I had no qualms about saying to people that he is arguably the best player I have worked with at receiving the ball on the touchline.

“How he takes the ball, his body shape, how he feints when he receives it, whether that’s on the right side or the left side, and that’s something our younger wingers can learn from. He’s a remarkable professional. From the first time I met him back in 2016 there were some noises about him moving or going, but I never felt that at all – his professionalism, his focus, they were absolutely phenomenal.

“How he looks after his body, how he prepares himself, he never wavered. “There are times this season where he might have felt like he should have played more, and maybe I should have played him more, I don’t know.

“What I do know is I was never going to rule him out because I know what he gave me my first time here and this time he’s been absolutely brilliant. He’ll be an instrumental figure for us, whether that’s off the pitch or on the pitch for us over these closing weeks.”

Brendan Rodgers Praised For Hampden Show of Authority

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made headlines last week for his show of authority before the Hoops’ Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shootout with Aberdeen.

The squad were huddled in the dugout but Paulo Bernardo could be seen away from the group, speaking to kit-man Stevie Wright.

Wright appeared to be giving the midfielder advice, with which Rodgers was incensed. He steamed over and took Bernardo away.

A clip of the moment went viral on social media, with several fans praising the gaffer for his antics.

Indeed, Charlie Mulgrew has also acclaimed Rodgers for how he dealt with the situation. He said: [Open Goal via Football Scotland] “I thought it was brilliant from Rodgers. It showed a man who was in control of that situation.

“For me, I thought it was brilliant.”

Having been recently linked with the vacant Celtic under-18s role, Mulgrew could take a few leaves out of the Irishman’s managerial book.

The now 38-year-old has previously visited Lennoxtown to observe how Rodgers works after obtaining his UEFA A License.

If Mulgrew is anywhere near as successful as the current Parkhead gaffer, then things bode well for his managerial career.

The gap on Rangers & Celtic IS closing despite latest Hearts loss, says legend

Joe Hart’s 20-year plus career was played mostly at the highest level in England but will end in Scotland.

The 37-year-old has clearly loved every minute of his time at Celtic and seems content to be calling time on his glittering career while a Hoops player in the Scottish Premiership. He will be targeting a league and Scottish Cup double to add to the five trophies he already has from his time up here.

You might think that one of those league or cup wins and the celebrations which followed, especially last season’s Treble, would be at the forefront of his mind when picking out a highlight from his Celts spell. But he actually picked out a rather surprising choice when put on the spot.

Hart has played on Livingston’s plastic pitch several times and has even been sent off their as well as suffering a loss on another occasion, but it still gives him happy memories.

The uniqueness of the ground and the fact that Hoops fans take up three-quarters of it despite being the away team have left its mark on him.

Speaking to fan media ahead of An Evening with Joe Hart on Sunday, he said: “I can’t get away from Livi away. I do love Livi away.

“I think for everything that it is — it’s a plastic pitch, it’s a tough game, but the fact there are like four-fifths Celtic fans, the atmosphere is electric. It really just feels special.

“This place speaks for itself [Celtic Park], but Livi away will live long in the memory.”

‘I’ve been impressed’: Pat Bonner says Celtic should now sign ‘much improved’ Aberdeen star after Hampden win

As Celtic book another Scottish Cup Final date on the 25th of May next month, the fallout of that incredible semi-final against Aberdeen continues today.

Celtic looked shaky on Saturday against The Dons but still managed to get the job done on penalties after 120 minutes of football couldn’t separate the teams after a nerve-shredding 3-3 draw.

Goals from Nicolas Kuhn, James Forrest and Matt O’Riley weren’t enough to seal a win as Aberdeen battled right to the end in regulation and extra time.

It took a Joe Hart save from Killian Phillips in sudden death to cap an exciting game with a wonderful finalé and Celtic can now look forward to another Glasgow Derby after Rangers booked their place in a 2-0 win over Hearts yesterday,

But there was one ‘much improved’ Aberdeen star that when asked if Celtic should sign him, Pat Bonner believed that is something Brendan Rodgers should look at.

Bonner say Bojan Miovski has what Celtic ‘want’

The former Celtic hero was praising Bojan Miovski after his opener gave Aberdeen hope of pulling off a cup shock and the former Celtic hero is clearly a big fan of the international striker.

Bonner said [BBC Radio Scotland], “I’ve been impressed with him. I think he’s a much, much-improved player from when I saw him right at the start of his career with Aberdeen.

“I think he’s just matured. I think he knows how to play the position and I think he leads the line really well.

“And he’s got that turn of pace which is really important. He threatens defenders in behind them and he scores goals, and that’s what you want.”

It’s incredible to think that Miovski has managed to score 24 goals and create four in an Aberdeen side who have been hovering in and around the relegation zone for much of the season. [Transfermarkt]

And if you look at the number of chances Celtic create, Miovski is a player who could flourish in Paradise.

The big sticking points would be Miovski’s long-term ambition and Aberdeen’s asking price. And also whether or not Rodgers sees him as a striker who would fit into his system.

With Adam Idah’s Celtic future still uncertain, the Celtic manager will need to add another striker to his ranks in the summer and Miovski has shown he has a serious eye for goal.

Report: Brendan Rodgers battling Liverpool and Arsenal for 23-year-old Englishman, he could cost £20m

Celtic will be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer with Joe Hart announcing his retirement at the end of the season – and Brendan Rodgers is keen on another Englishman between the sticks.

Hart, who turns 37 today, has been a wonderful signing for Celtic. Taken to Celtic by Ange Postecoglou from Tottenham – who is ironically, now Spurs boss – he has since played 146 times north of the border.

He will need a replacement. A report from Sunderland Echo claims that Rodgers is looking down south and at a potential move for England U21 stopper Anthony Patterson – who is impressing at Sunderland.

Breaking into the side through the academy, Patterson has now played 121 times at senior level for the Black Cats. In that time, Sunderland have only conceded 141 goals – Patterson keeping 37 clean sheets.

Celtic rival Liverpool and Arsenal for Anthony Patterson

That form has caught the eye of Rodgers north of the border, as Celtic look to bring in a new no.1 with a Champions League campaign on the horizon. They face huge competition from one of Rodgers’ old sides.

Indeed, Liverpool want Patterson – with Caoimhin Kelleher likely to look for pastures new. The Ireland ace has been excellent but with Alisson was fit, he reverted to the bench. Kasey Keller said he should leave.

Arsenal are also keen on Patterson – who is rated at a fee between £10m and £20m. Sunderland seem aware of the inevitable this summer but they will be desperate to rake in as much cash as possible.

Celtic would be Patterson’s best move, but there is a problem

For Arsenal, Aaron Ramsdale is also likely to be leaving The Emirates. It is claimed that the England star is interested in a move to Newcastle – with Eddie Howe’s side keen on doing a deal. He needs replacing.

Patterson is on the radar of all three sides. At Celtic, he would be no.1 and get Champions League football next term. But Celtic do not have the cash of Arsenal and Liverpool. An eight-figure fee is very expensive.

At Arsenal and Liverpool, he would be much more affordable. But the chances are that he would only play in cup competition and might be lucky to play 10 times a season. Big decision for the “amazing” talent.

‘We needed pace’: Lee Congerton names the £52m Chelsea player he really wanted to sign for Celtic

Celtic pulled off one outstanding raid on Paris Saint-Germain under Brendan Rodgers but seemingly missed out on two more.

Bhoys supporters saw one ex-PSG talent become a Parkhead hero as Moussa Dembele spent two superb years in Glasgow.

Dembele left for Lyon after Celtic finalised a permanent deal for Odsonne Edouard, who joined the Bhoys directly from PSG.

Edouard hit 11 goals during a 2017-18 loan spell at Celtic and the Bhoys secured a permanent deal worth £9million.

Edouard went on to become a Celtic hero, smashing 87 goals in 179 games for the club before joining Crystal Palace in 2021.

The 26-year-old hasn’t quite had the same success in the Premier League but he showed the potential blueprint for Celtic.

The idea was to sign young players from clubs like PSG and develop them into stars – but two potential signings slipped through the net.

Celtic missed out on Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku

Former Celtic recruitment chief Lee Congerton has spoken to The Telegraph about his time at Parkhead.

Congerton went on to Atalanta and has recently become the sporting director of Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.

Congerton’s work at Celtic was sometimes criticised but he has now named two players he wanted to bring to Celtic.

The Welshman claims that he wanted to sign both Moussa Diaby and Christopher Nkunku from the PSG ranks, believing they were ‘never’ going to play for PSG.

Congerton added that Celtic signed players he didn’t even want, sparking his decision to leave the club.

“At Celtic we had no money,” said Congerton. “Peter Lawwell is a nice man, he’s an accountant. Brendan spoke to me and said we needed pace and power, speed. We all know PSG has an amazing youth programme with players at the time who were never going to play for PSG. Two of the other players we tried to sign during my time were [Moussa] Diaby, who is now at Aston Villa, and [Christopher] Nkunku who is now at Chelsea.”

“But there were several players I didn’t want to be anywhere near them and that is why I left. Peter knows that and so did Brendan,” he added.

Nkunku and Diaby could have made Celtic millions

Diaby and Nkunku didn’t really break through with regularity at PSG but became superstars in the Bundesliga.

Diaby hit 49 goals and 48 assists in 172 games for Leverkusen and has shown promise in his first season at Aston Villa having secured a huge £43million move last summer.

Nkunku was even better in Germany, also racking up 172 games but notching 70 goals and 56 assists in the process.

Chelsea forked out £52million to sign Nkunku last summer but injuries mean he has only managed seven Premier League appearances this term.

The pair have proven PSG wrong for letting them go, but have also shown that they could have raked in millions for Celtic, even if the Bundesliga market is a more lucrative one than the Scottish Premiership.

Cedric Maxwell thinks Celtics should attack these potential playoff matchups ‘head on’

How should the Celtics approach another Miami or Philadelphia matchup in the 2024 playoffs?

Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell has one piece of advice for the Celtics as they roll comfortably into the postseason: “Get a dog if you’re afraid.”

The two-time NBA champ gave his vote of confidence to the 64-18 team Monday on NBC Sports Boston, saying he expects the Celtics to continue their dominant performance down the stretch.

“This is a defensive team, they get things done on both sides of the floor,” Maxwell said. “When I look at this team in totality, this team can really run the table. They just have a lot of great pieces — in veterans and in younger players.”

Sure, Boston coasted through April (6-2), something Maxwell said he didn’t love. However, the Celtics managed to pull off impressive wins earlier in the season against two of their potential first round opponents: the Heat and 76ers.

“The Celtics have played Philadelphia extremely well this year. Over the last couple of years, they’ve dominated Philadelphia. This team does not have any fear when I think about looking at them,” Maxwell said. “I like the Celtics’ chances yet again.”

Last year the Celtics met the Sixers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, playing out the entire series before sending Philly home in Game 7. This year, however, Boston’s addition of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday change the playoff picture.

Maxwell points out that Porzingis’s versatility — and his ability to draw defenders like Joel Embiid out away from the basket — will prove consequential in the postseason. The Celtics’ 7-foot-2 big man averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2 assists per game on the season, all while shooting 51.6 percent.

And while it was ultimately the Heat who ended Boston’s bid for Banner 18 in 2023, Maxwell says the Celtics shouldn’t fear them this season either. Rather, when it comes to another Celtics-Heat series, he thinks they should “get it over with.”

“That boogey-man that everyone’s talking about, meet them head on,” Maxwell said.

Who the Celtics will take on first in the 2024 NBA playoffs will be decided on by Friday night. As the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have this week — the play-in tournament — off.

The Heat (No. 8) and the 76ers (No. 7) will face off Wednesday night, with the winner going on to face No. 2 seed New York in Round 1 of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the loser of the Heat-76ers matchup will host the Hawks-Bulls winner Friday with the opportunity to meet the Celtics.