As Celtic prepared for the final two months of the 2023/24 season, manager Brendan Rodgers challenged his team to get their ‘trophy heads’ on.
The Bhoys had lacked a bit of consistency up to that point, never really convincing as potential double-winners and locked in a tight battle at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Since then, however, the team have answered Rodgers’ call. Celtic went 12 games unbeaten between 10th March and 25th May, drawing just once and winning two derbies along the way.
Callum McGregor and his Bhoys lifted the league title and, after Adam Idam’s dramatic winner on Saturday, the Scottish Cup too.
As predicted by the manager, it was the time of the season that a club like Celtic really came alive. That mentality is so crucial when pushing for trophies.
Scott Brown assesses Celtic and Rangers gap
For former Celtic captain Scott Brown, it is the difference between the Bhoys and their closest rivals Rangers.
As some from Ibrox bizarrely talked about their team being ‘better’ than Celtic in the wake of another derby defeat, Brown made it clear what separates the two sides.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, the club legend said: “You’ve got Callum McGregor and Brendan Rodgers who drive them on daily. The players have got to make sure they deliver for the fans.
“It’s a mentality thing. Celtic have got that mentality to continuously win. Rangers have not got that mentality. That’s the difference. They come here and play well but just can’t get it over the line. Celtic get it over the line, they know how to do it.
“In the front three there is a huge difference in quality. Celtic’s look fluent and efficient. Rangers don’t look like they will create much. Take nothing away from Rangers, they worked hard and were honest. But Celtic had more quality.”
Brown helped mould Celtic into a relentless winning machine
Brown nails it with his assessment. Celtic have moulded themselves into born winners. The pundit himself helped that process at the club over the last decade-plus and his successor, McGregor, has continued his legacy with aplomb.
When the heat is really on and Celtic are pushing forward in unison across staff, players and fans, the club looks unstoppable at a domestic level.
The next challenge is taking that confidence and belief onto the European stage, which remains a work in progress.
For now, everyone associated with the club can take their lap of honour, enjoy the success and bask in their status as the number one team in the country – despite what anyone else says.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
