Brendan Rodgers predicts where Celtic would finish in Premier League
Brendan Rodgers has insisted Celtic would easily finish in the top six of the Premier League, if not higher, if they switched divisions.
Celtic have been the dominant force in Scottish football over the last 24 years, recently winning the title for the 12th time in 13 seasons. They surged to their third successive title this year, losing just three games to finish eight points ahead of runners-up Rangers.
The Scottish Premiership's two top sides have long been linked with moves to the leagues south of the border. There has been intense debate about how they would fare if they did change divisions.
Rodgers is confident that Celtic at least would be highly successes, despite it being 11 years since they reached the knockout stages of the Champions League. Even so, the Celtic boss is adamant about their potential prospects in the Premier League.
"Celtic and Rangers, and obviously I can only talk from a Celtic perspective, is an absolutely massive club worldwide. There’s no doubt if Celtic was in the Premier League it would be up there, minimum, in that top six bracket," he told talkSPORT.
"It's absolutely incredible, no matter where you are in the world, you will meet Celtic supporters. The fanbase, the history of the club, that's what makes it a truly, truly massive club.
"That's why the league was so important for us this year, especially with the new format (in the Champions League) being more financially rewarding than ever before, because it's the best opportunity the club can get to make substantial funds."
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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 18: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers holds aloft the league winners trophy after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC v St Mirren at Celtic Park Stadium on May 18, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Celtic's title win means they have qualified for the league stage of next season's reformed Champions League. And Rodgers was relieved to complete the job, though is keen to focus on the Scottish Cup final this weekend.
"It's everything I expected it to be and more," said Rodgers. "This time around I'm going to enjoy every single second of it. The next thing is important, but I can press pause on days like today.
"It's such a special club, and I really want to make sure I enjoy all of these special moments. We haven't been able to do that all season. The players, their application, their professionalism, everything has been superb.
"Today's a day to celebrate. But I also said: this is work. Walking up the Celtic Way before the game was amazing. Celebrating with the fans after winning, amazing. But it's a workday as well.
"We wanted to win, and the players did that and I'm so proud of them. That preparation [for Saturday] starts [immediately], but we're in a great place moving into the weekend."
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