CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has called for a reality check regarding the expectations surrounding the club’s ability to consistently secure trebles.

Reflecting on the recent cup defeat, which was Rodgers’ first as a Celtic manager, he highlighted the immense challenge of such achievements and the need for perspective.

As quoted by the Daily Record, Rodgers said, “I think (because) I came in here before and won trebles, people think that’s just what you come in and do. It is a very difficult thing and you see this defeat that magnifies the achievement from before.”

The manager’s comments come in the wake of Celtic’s recent exit from a the Viaplay Cup at the hands of Kilmarnock, a result that has disappointed the club’s fans. However, Rodgers was quick to remind everyone of the challenges ahead and the evolving nature of the team.

“It is a new cycle and I want to win every game as the Celtic manager and this is bitterly disappointing. Of course, it is always a setback when you go out of a cup competition,” he added.

Rodgers emphasised the transitional phase the club is currently undergoing, with new players coming in and others departing while adapting to a different system.  He stressed the importance of hard work and unity to achieve success in the future.

“I said at the beginning when I came in here that this was not a continuation. Good teams aren’t born. There are new players in, players have left. So we have to work very hard and if we think that it is just going to happen, then that will not be the case at Celtic.”

Rodgers’ remarks underline the importance of patience and understanding as the club navigates through this new phase, with the aim of building a strong and cohesive unit capable of achieving future successes. Fans will be patient with the boss, to a certain extent, but results like Sunday’s certainly won’t help his cause.