Source: team_talk
SPL: Scott Brown insists champions Celtic have not had an easy ride
Celtic captain Scott Brown insists the Hoops have not had an easy ride in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season despite the absence of Rangers.
Brown, who watched from the stands as Celtic clinched the title with a 4-1 win over Inverness, pointed to their European exertions - where they reached the last 16 of the Champions League - as evidence.
He said: "It's still been hard for us, we've had the Champions League during the week and then on to playing weekend games is hard.
"We've been lucky enough Rangers weren't in the league but the main thing is we have won this league and it's been a great season.
"Hopefully we can stick together a long time. The lads are doing themselves proud week in week out.
"To bring something home for the fans, it means a lot for us.
"It's always nervy going towards the end and just getting over the line, but the main thing is we've managed to do it and we've brought the cup home."
Gary Hooper, Celtic's top scorer this season, is aware they will need to re-focus for their William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian on May 26.
"The main thing is celebrating this first and then the final on the 26th and win that and do the double," he said.
"We've got a great squad, we've played really well and it showed in the Champions League and it showed today that we're really good at home and we can beat anyone."
