BRENDAN Rodgers has told his history-making players that he will push them even harder next season to make sure they get better.

The Celtic manager once again warned against his double treble winning squad going “soft” and insisted that will never be allowed to happen under his watch.

The players report back for training in mid-June to begin preparations for the start of the Champions League campaign which will begin with a qualifier on July 12 or 13.

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Rodgers could hardly ask for more in terms of trophies, having won six out of six, but there is room for improvement in terms of the football Celtic play and, of course, there is a need to better in Europe.

The Northern Irishman said: “We weren’t quite as good as we were last season and so I need to push the players even harder next season, starting from when we come back on June 18 but to secure the three trophies and do it in the way we’ve done it is really special, and I’m just happy for everyone connected with Celtic.

“They are getting their rewards for that focus and concentration on their work. They come in and never have a lazy day.

“We push them and I’m going to push them even harder for next season. It was tough for us this year but, again, it will be tougher next season so we will need to keep improving.

“When you come back off a really successful season like last year, it is so easy to go soft, timid and not have the same aggression. That was something I was very aware of from the beginning of the season.

“For teams like ourselves, it’s not so much the punches to the head and body that stop you, it’s the pats on the back. So we haven’t given out too many of them and we have to continue the work.

“I think the spirit of the team is strong. There is a mentality throughout the team to get better, and that’s important. We can never be satisfied.

“In this cycle, in this era that we’re in, for however long that is, we have to be hungry to succeed.”

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Rodgers was keen to stress that such utter domestic dominance wouldn't diminish his hunger to make Celtic as good a club and team as possible while he is around.

He said: "Being the best I can be in my time here drives me. This is a club I have an affinity with a close bond with.

"I understand what the supporters want and you want to be as successful as you possibly can, so that when the day comes that I get moved on from here or whatever happens, at least I know whatever happens I've given Celtic absolutely everything.

"I like to develop players individually and that consequently will improve players, hopefully. It's a constant thing for me."