Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic are living through a “golden era” – but insists nothing about their success comes without hard graft.
The champions are on the brink of sealing a fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title – and a 13th in 14 years – needing just a single point against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday to make it official.
A Scottish Cup final showdown with Aberdeen next month also offers the tantalising prospect of a sixth domestic treble in the last nine seasons.
But while some outsiders brand Celtic’s success as predictable, Rodgers echoed recent words from captain Callum McGregor by making it clear that it’s anything but effortless.
“I know we’re in a golden era here at Celtic,” the Northern Irishman said. “People always say ‘you’re miles ahead’ and everything else. I always think you’re never too far behind and you’re never too far ahead.
“If you think you’re too far ahead then you’re too content and then you stop growing and you stop developing. What we want to do here is focus on ourselves.
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"I always think you're never too far behind and you're never too far ahead. And I think that's what's key. If you think you're too far ahead, then you're too content and then you stop growing and you stop developing.
"What we tend to want to do here is focus on ourselves, focus on very much in the now. There's been a generation and a period now that's had amazing success, brilliant for the supporters. What I love about our support is we celebrate it like it is our first.
"So there's nothing taken for granted. But for us and how we work, we're in a great period. But that only comes from keeping aggressive, putting in the work, because that's ultimately what it boils down to.
"It boils down to hard work, hard work consistently and performing."
Rodgers, now in his second spell in the Celtic dugout, praised the culture that runs through every level of the club – from boardroom to dressing room – as he highlighted how much he's enjoyed watching the squad grow as a team throughout the season in their pursuit of silverware.
"I think that this season has been so satisfying in so many ways for me, and I've loved seeing us evolve as a team, develop as a team. From the beginning of the season, I've enjoyed seeing us bounce back from the setbacks that we've had," he explained.
"I've enjoyed seeing the players now get very close to feeling the reward for all the sacrifices that they make, because it's an incredible group of professional players that come in to train and to work every single day. They don't look for any easy days. They don't look for any easy games.
"Sometimes we haven't been at our best for whatever reason, but it's certainly not through the honesty of the group. So, yes, we're at that point of the season now. We're very close, five games to go, a cup final to look forward to, and we really want to finish the season strong.
"And I've always felt from my first time here, if you're going to win, try and win in the best way that you possibly can. And that's what we want to do this season."
