CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers is looking for a last-day win over Hearts to complete a “remarkable” Ladbrokes Premiership campaign.
The champions were at their very best in their 5-0 win over Partick Thistle on Thursday night.
Striker Leigh Griffiths started the rout in the 17th minute with a penalty although he blotted his copybook when he revealed his unhappiness at being replaced in the 63rd minute, with Scott Sinclair coming on.
On-loan Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts grabbed a brace with midfielders Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor also on the scoresheet as the Hoops extended their unbeaten domestic record to 45 games since the start of the season.
In doing so they moved on to 103 points, a record set by Martin O’Neill’s Celtic title-winning side of 2001-02, which also brought 33 wins, a feat which was equalled at Firhill.
Celtic will be presented with the league trophy against the Jambos at Parkhead on Sunday and Rodgers is looking to finish the league campaign on a high, before preparing for the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen the following week.
He said: “The incentive is to win and even more important to play well.
“If we can beat the 103 points, great. More goals, of course.
“To end the season with 34 wins out of 38 would be a remarkable achievement and we could celebrate a wonderful season in the league, which would be great for the supporters and hopefully they are enjoying the football.”
Rodgers, who revealed he had reminded Griffiths that it was a team game, was pleased with his side’s stellar performance.
The Northern Irishman said: “I think everyone coming here would have expected a severe test for us, and rightly so because Alan Archibald’s been fantastic this season getting his team in the top six and being really hard to beat.
“It was an outstanding team performance at this stage of the season.”
Archibald conceded his side got off lightly.
He said: “I think we were lucky it was five. I think Celtic took their foot off the gas at half-time if I am being really honest.
“It was very disappointing. Celtic are a good side but we stood off them and played with a fear, I think that was there for all to see, for the first five, 10 minutes and they could probably have been ahead before we gave them the penalty.”
ends
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