BBC Sounds

Michael Grant, Scottish football correspondent at The Times, speaking to the Football Daily podcast: "When [Brendan] Rodgers was appointed he talked about doing something in Europe. There is a different format to the Champions League next season so you won't have the safety net of falling into the Europa League and maybe having a run in that.

"Celtic have not made an impression on Europe in a long time. Finishing bottom of the Champions League group again this season was poor. It formed a negative narrative around the first half of the season."

Nick McPheat
BBC Scotland

Image source, PA Media

Celtic's dominant record against their Old Firm rivals is just one of the reasons why they became Scottish Premiership champions for the 12th time in 13 seasons.

Another is Matt O’Riley, who was named fans' player of the year and players' player of the year at Celtic’s end-of-season awards.

The Denmark midfielder has been Celtic’s main man this term, and arguably the best player in the country, scoring more league goals (17) and providing more assists (13) than any of his team-mates - a combined total of 30.

Only Joe Hart has played more minutes than the 23-year-old, who has also created a staggering 93 chances for his team-mates.

His off-the-ball work has also caught the eye, winning possession on 207 occasions and making 34 tackles. A complete all-round midfielder.

Here, BBC Scotland looks at more of the data which led to Celtic's latest title triumph.

BBC Sounds

Michael Grant, Scottish football correspondent at The Times, speaking to the Football Daily podcast: "From when Phillippe Clement came to Rangers, they have taken more points than Celtic - if you take away the derbies. But you can't take those away derbies! Clement deserves credit for making a fist of it, but he has a question mark over him that he hasn't beaten Celtic.

"Brendan Rodgers' record in the Old Firm is astonishing, one defeat in 17 over two spells. If you are putting your biggest rival to the sword as regularly as that, you are going to win trophies. There's another one coming in the Scottish Cup final - if Celtic win again, it will underline the belief that Rangers cannot get the better of Rodgers."

Image source, PA Media

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

There are large sections of Celtic fans who did not want Brendan Rodgers to come back and were not hugely welcoming. But if you keep on winning trophies in a stylish way, you will be accepted.

There are things about the Ange Postecoglou method that Brendan uses - the high tempo. But managers want to be successful for their ideas, for what they do. Every manager takes some time to get his messages across and they are getting across now.

A league campaign - 37 games, three defeats. It's really not bad, and it has been improving at the end of the season.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

No helicopter, then. No shootout on the last day. No grand finale.

Instead there was the familiar sight of Brendan Rodgers with arms aloft, hands waving, face smiling. Another title. Champions again.

It was different in so many ways to the ones he won before, but exactly the same in terms of joy and pride.

Some among the Celtic support did not want him back, or were sparing with their welcomes when he did return, but they all looked in thrall to him at Kilmarnock after a 5-0 victory clinched the Scottish Premiership title.

Trophies have a magic quality of making any ill feeling disappear in a puff of smoke.

His first league championship in 2016-17 was an invincible romp, his second a more stuttering affair but comfortable in the end.

The third title he has overseen from start to finish had elements of imperiousness, but not many.

Click here to read more from Tom.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

This season has been tough for Amad Diallo as he worked on his recovery during the first half of the campaign, having returned for pre-season training with such high hopes of what was to follow.

"I did well at Sunderland and wanted to come here and help my team," he said.

"I got that injury and I was a little bit sad. It was one of my most difficult moments but now I want to forget it.

"I’m happy to be back and hope to help the team for the rest of the season."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Amad Diallo has had to be patient waiting for his chance to shine at Manchester United - but the Ivory Coast forward has finally started to make an impact.

After impressive loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland, the £19m signing from Serie A side Atalanta in 2021 returned to Old Trafford in the summer with the aim of competing for a regular first-team place.

However, he suffered a knee injury during a pre-season game against Arsenal in the United States and didn't play a first-team game until the end of December.

It was another two months before his next appearance and despite scoring the last-gasp extra-time winner in the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool in March, didn't start a game until the Premier League encounter with Arsenal at the weekend.

The 21-year-old kept his place for last night's win over Newcastle, scoring United's second goal in a 3-2 win with a well-taken half-volley from the edge of the area after the visitors failed to clear a corner.

"As a player you need to be patient," he said. "It’s not easy when you train hard but don’t get what you want. Now I have got my chance and I scored. I’m very happy for that."

Before we get back to the VAR debate, we're going to have a quick recap of Wednesday's action.

In November, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called VAR "a disgrace" after awarding Anthony Gordon's goal as Newcastle United were 1-0 winners at St James' Park.

VAR checked the goal for three different decisions, but in each instance, the decisions went Newcastle's way and the goal stood.

With the ball seeming to go out of play in the build-up to the goal, Arsenal released a statement, calling for the PGMOL "urgently address the standard of officiating in the Premier League".

Although Arteta was charged for his comments, he was not sanctioned by the FA.

Outgoing West Ham United manager David Moyes is among those to voice his frustrations over VAR decisions that have gone against his side.

Last April, following a defeat to Liverpool, he described VAR as being "disrespectful" not to look at a handball decision.

In September 2022, he described VAR as "scandalous" after Maxwel Cornet was denied a late goal away at Chelsea, a decision which the Premier League later apologised for.

Should Premier League clubs vote to remove VAR next month, it would see them follow suit from football in Sweden.

They are currently the only elite league in Uefa's top 30 not to use VAR.

BBC Sport went to find out how supporters turned against it.

Earlier this month, an independent panel ruled that Manchester City should not have been given a penalty that they did end up scoring during a 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri was penalised after colliding with City defender Josko Gvardiol in the area.

A five-person Key Match Incident Panel voted by a 3-2 majority that referee Craig Pawson should not have given a spot-kick.

Read the full story here.

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In March, Liverpool felt that should have had a late penalty after a high Jeremy Doku tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.

With a large debate sparked following the issue, Webb said it was right for referee Michael Oliver not to interfere.

Webb said: "The VAR looks at it and doesn't see a clear-and-obvious situation.

"You see something that's pretty subjective and therefore stays out of it, and the feedback we've had from people within the game is that this is a pretty subjective situation. It's split opinion."

Image source, Getty Images

PGMOL head of referees Howard Webb admitted Liverpool should have been given a penalty for a handball from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in their 1-1 draw in December.

After a Mohamed Salah flick-on, the ball hit Odegaard's hand in the penalty area during the first half of the game.

"The game expects a penalty in this situation. I would agree," said Webb on the incident.

Image source, Getty Images