Celtic sealed a seventh successive league title with a thumping 5-0 win over Rangers on Sunday.
It is their second Scottish Premiership crown under manager Brendan Rodgers and while their dominance has not quite been to the extent of 12 months ago – when they went through the entire campaign unbeaten – the champions have cruised over the line with plenty to spare.
Here Sky Sports Scotland reporter Charles Paterson picks out five players who have been shining lights for Celtic during the season…
Scott Brown
The unofficial voice of Brendan Rodgers on the field, Celtic’s captain has rarely put a foot wrong, while enhancing his cult status with supporters. In his testimonial year, Brown has played over 50 matches, largely avoided injuries and revelled in his role as the player opposing fans love to hate.
From an outrageous strutting dance laughing off a foul at Pittodrie, to a remarkably quick recovery from Ross County captain Andrew Davies’ painful tackle on his nether regions, Brown has never been far from the centre of the action. His performances in the recent victories over Rangers at Ibrox and Hampden, in differing circumstances, were controlled midfield masterclasses.
James Forrest says everyone at Celtic is hoping that Brendan Rodgers stays put despite being linked with Arsenal.
James Forrest
This has been the most productive season of the long-serving winger’s career, with 17 goals in all competitions. At 26-years-old, Forrest is now in his prime, and has become an automatic first pick for club and country, after years spent flitting between the pitch, the bench and the treatment table.
His form has been such that reigning Player of the Year Scott Sinclair and on-loan star Patrick Roberts have often been left on the sidelines in his wake. He has even scored his first Celtic hat-trick – but Forrest’s next challenge will be to ensure that this season is not a one-off.
Callum McGregor
Described recently by Brendan Rodgers as perhaps the most underappreciated member of his squad, McGregor has provided consistent excellence – and goals – across all four competitions Celtic have played in. The midfielder also made his Scotland debut and quickly proved he could cement a position in the international set-up for years to come.
Technically proficient on both sides and tactically astute, McGregor has been compared to Bayern Munich and Germany legend Philip Lahm by his manager for his ability to adapt to different positions. At 24, he has the potential to kick on and develop even further.
Oliver Ntcham
The young Frenchman arrived to much fanfare from Manchester City last summer, but took time to settle into Celtic’s midfield, often appearing from the bench early on. Injury to Stuart Armstrong mid-season provided Ntcham with more opportunities and he has gradually taken on more responsibility, to the extent where he has become a first pick.
Still a work in progress, the 22-year-old’s strength and technique has been complimented by eight goals, and he has struck up a powerful partnership in the middle of the pitch with Scott Brown.
Tom Rogic
The go-to man for Brendan Rodgers in the big games, who has rarely failed to deliver when called upon. Rogic’s ability to pop up with a goal or a moment of magic in a crunch occasion has become a familiar sight. The man who set the seal on last year’s invincible treble with a stoppage-time Scottish Cup final winner against Aberdeen, Rogic has scored four times against Rangers this season, including twice at Ibrox.
Celtic supporters are waiting anxiously to see if Rogic will sign a new contract; his current deal is due to expire in 2019, with the Australian set to make a mark on the international stage with his country at this summer’s World Cup.
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Sourse: skysports.com
