Kenny Dalglish: Even Celtic fans will welcome a challenge for Invincible Hoops

CELTIC ended their season in fine style, winning the Treble to go through the entire domestic campaign undefeated.

I’ve given Brendan Rodgers and his players many plaudits and words of praise in the past few months, and they have deserved every superlative.

But may I also suggest that the success of this season, which was rounded off with the Scottish Cup victory against Aberdeen, has been influenced by the Lisbon Lions and their sensational achievement of winning the European Cup in 1967.

As we all know, the 50th anniversary celebrations of the defeat of Inter Milan have been plentiful during this month and every event has been worthy and deserved.

I was at The Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday night for the tribute night, and Rod Stewart rounded it all off in fine style.

I was privileged and honoured to have been invited, and it was great to see the Lions there, as well as previous Celtic managers such as Martin O’Neill, Gordon Strachan, Neil Lennon and, of course, Brendan.

Every one of them won silverware with the club, and took the team into the Champions League with all its riches and spotlight.

I’m sure they would also be the first to admit that they felt a level of expectation to deliver success and succeed because of the foundations laid down by Jock Stein and the players more than 50 years ago. There is no doubt the Lions started the ball rolling.

That era also allowed the Celtic supporters to enjoy some fantastic times, from the European Cup win to nine-in-a-row.

Success has followed on, from Billy McNeill to Davie Hay, to Tommy Burns, Wim Jansen and to others who have been manager in the past 20 years.

The other great thing I took away with me from Thursday night was the fact that the supporters are made to feel part of it. Their contribution is appreciated and not taken for granted.

At some clubs, supporters can try to feel part of their club but maybe don’t always get welcomed with open arms.

But the Parkhead supporters have played their part this season and can feel very proud of the success story of season 2016/17.

However, I suspect that more than a few of them would welcome stiffer competition next season at domestic level – a tighter title race, some edge-of-the-seat stuff rather than finishing 30 or 40 points ahead and the league won by October.

Of course, they want their team to win and want to reach seven-in-a-row this time next year, but more of a challenge from elsewhere is required.

For marketing and sponsorship, it would also be beneficial for Scottish football as a whole.

It’s up to Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts and the rest to improve. I say that because if there is to be a tighter race next season, it won’t be because Celtic will be in regression.

No, Celtic will get better and better.

So the rest need to come up with a plan to take points off of Celtic and strengthen their squads.

I appreciate that will be easier said than done, but they need to be competitive and ready for the challenge.

They can’t throw in the towel before a ball has been kicked.

Derek McInnes will look to add new players to his squad and build on the achievements of this season.

Despite yesterday’s defeat, Aberdeen can hold their heads up high after finishing second in the league and getting to both domestic cup finals.

Derek and his staff will spend all summer plotting a way to do even better next season, and I hope he is at Aberdeen to do so.

He has done ever so well in his four years with the Dons, and he has established himself as a fine manager. By all accounts, his story at Pittodrie hasn’t gone unnoticed and he has been linked with one or two jobs.

But it’s all speculation just now, and until there is a concrete offer in front of him – and he is given permission by Aberdeen to speak to any interested parties – then he will be staying put.

He has a good working relationship with chairman, Stewart Milne, and that kind of thing should never be underestimated or taken for granted. A solid partnership like that is worth its weight in gold.

So an interesting close season is in store and the work for next season will already be under way at clubs up and down the country.

Players will come and go and you hope that your recruitment will be solid and effective because it’s vital to bring in the right type of quality and character.

They all know what they have to do – catch Celtic. I think, however, it will be more about who finishes the best of the rest.