Neil Lennon will reward his Celtic players for sealing the Scottish Premier League title by sending them on an early holiday.
The Parkhead men went into this afternoon’s match with Inverness needing a point to retain the championship and they turned on the style to run out 4-1 winners over the Highlanders.
Top scorer Gary Hooper hit a double, with Joe Ledley and Georgios Samaras also weighing in.
With the Scottish Cup final against Hibs more than a month away, Lennon will now reward his Double-chasing players with a week’s holiday.
He said: ‘There will be players getting a holiday now, from today. Four of them will get a holiday next week and after the Motherwell game (next weekend), there will be five getting a break.
‘Then we will have everyone back for the last two league games and then the cup final.’
Lennon revealed his overwhelming emotion was ‘one of immense pride in the players’.
The Northern Irishman said: ‘It is pretty special. I never take these things for granted so I hope the players enjoy the moment.’
Ledley turned his attention to next season’s Champions League after grabbing the second goal with a right-footed strike.
Gary Hooper had opened the scoring on the hour with a left-footed shot across Inverness keeper Antonio Reguero and the Celtic striker added a third when he flicked home Kris Commons’ driven cross.
Georgios Samaras crashed home the fourth goal from a tight angle before Aaron Doran netted an injury time consolation for Inverness.
Celtic face a battle to keep 28-goal striker Hooper and midfielder Victor Wanyama this summer but Ledley hopes the bulk of the side stay for another shot at Champions League qualification following this season’s run to the last 16.
The Welshman said: ‘There will always be ins and outs in football at every single club. We have a fantastic team and I’ll be very surprised if everyone stays.
‘Everyone has watched us in the Champions League and SPL, and there’s going to be a lot of interest in the majority of the players.
‘But if we can keep it together, we have a fantastic future and Celtic will go forward and, hopefully, qualify for the Champions League again.’
Hooper has been linked with several English Premier League clubs and, when asked if he will still be a Celtic player next season, he said: ‘We’ll see, won’t we?’
Inverness manager Terry Butcher said: ‘Celtic are worthy winners. They are difficult to stop when they are in that mood, especially when there is a title at stake.
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