When Brendan Rodgers left Celtic for Leicester City, he may have thought that days like these were now behind him forever. And certainly, when he first came back, he might have wondered if he would ever again take the acclaim of the Celtic Park crowd.
That is why he won’t be taking tomorrow’s trophy presentation day for granted, with the Celtic manager basking in the glory of another season of success that looks all but certain to end with another three trophies tucked into the trophy cabinet under his steam.
It is little wonder then that he is allowing himself a moment to enjoy the fruits of his labour, and that he has urged his players to do the same. And in even better news for the Celtic support, it appears that Rodgers is now fully cognisant of just what he has in his own personal Paradise.
“There's no doubt, it's been the most satisfied [I’ve been],” Rodgers said.
“When I came back, it was always a privilege to manage the club. Then, going away, I realised partly what I missed when I was away.
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“In this season, we've been so consistent. I've really enjoyed watching the team, seeing them every day. Some of the values here that we have within this club and seeing the humility and how hard the guys work, how much they want to win and also, how they've got over setbacks this season.
“So, for me, it's been a great season for us. The Champions League was a big one, and not for me. I think as a club, we wanted to...of course, as a coach, you want to work at the highest level, but we as a club, we wanted to be sure that we can be competitive at that level, and I believe we did that.
“So, you add that to what we're doing domestically, then, naturally, it feels good. Now, we're going to get to this part of the season. It's always an exciting time.
“The sun's shining, these are real Celtic days, and that's what we love.”
What has made this league triumph all the sweeter for Rodgers is the way that his players have embraced what has been asked of them, particularly in how hard he has asked them to work in both training and on matchdays, with a real relish.
“You certainly never take it for granted, because there is so much work that goes into winning a league title over the course of a season,” he said.
“I think back to our work in pre-season, where we developed the idea, and then alongside the hard work and the values with which this team play with as well.
“It's a very humble team, it's very competitive, and it has a real togetherness about it as well. So, to demonstrate that weekly and arrive on this day that you can share with the supporters, it's a truly special day.
“It's been very, very satisfying as a manager, I have to say. Our first day in pre-season, and right through the pre-season, I thought we set a really high benchmark, and we were able to continue with that.
“So, we're here to win, and win in the best possible way we can. As a manager, to see that growth of the team from last year, and then to see how we've performed this season consistently, and playing some fantastic games.
“Like I said, we've stuck with the idea and structure of our team, because any good team is always made up of talent, a system and a real positive energy, and that's what we've tried to demonstrate all season.
“I think as a player, as a person, you want to improve every single day of your life, and just because you have a piece of metal that you've won and achieved and worked very hard for, doesn't mean you can't improve on the other days.
“When we won the title at Dundee United, great. But I want us to still improve as a team and as individuals, and for that then you have to then bring a purpose to it, and the players have responded to that, and now we have more targets to hopefully see if we can achieve and go for, and do everything we can to do that.”
There is of course a subplot to the day, with the club’s most decorated player, James Forrest, still having something to achieve on a personal level.
The 33-year-old will present the Premiership trophy to his teammates, and then he will be going all out to get the goal against St Mirren that will maintain his record of scoring in each of his 16 seasons as a Celtic first team player.
And Rodgers joked he will be helping him in any way he can by putting him on penalties and free kicks.
“Aye, everything!” he said.
“He was so unlucky, the keeper made a really good save the other night, when he cut inside off his left foot, the one in the second half. He's dragged the first one in the first half, but he's always a goal threat, James.
“It's great for him [to present the trophy]. I think he's long overdue, all the accolades he's receiving this season.
“Seeing him the other night, he's 33 years of age, but he's still strong in his legs, strong in his running, and he's always had the quality.
“So, it'll be a really lovely touch by the club for him to do that with his family.”
The one slight blemish in an otherwise perfect week for Celtic was the news that midfielder Reo Hatate – who has been subject to speculation over his future - has possibly played his last game for the club after an injury sustained under a challenge from Aberdeen forward Pape Gueye.
“He'll miss the last two games, sadly for him and us,” Rodgers said.
“He's had a fantastic season in terms of availability, it's 55 games he's been involved in, and it's just such a shame he'll miss his last couple of games.
“You're probably talking that he'll be OK for the beginning of pre-season, but it's just a shame for us and even more so for him that he misses these two games.
“I said at the time I thought it was a needless challenge. Everyone knew it was a free kick, and he's just there to stop the ball from going the other way. For that to happen in that circumstance, it's not nice.”
