BRENDAN RODGERS savoured Celtic’s return to their very best to go three points from the title.

Then revealed talks on his long term future with supremo Dermot Desmond are likely in the summer.

The Hoops boss had been scathing with his criticism of his players following the shock defeat to St Johnstone.

But there was only praise from Rodgers after their demolition of struggling Killie – with a remarkable four-goal salvo in the first 25 minutes sealing victory.

A Reo Hatate double, Daizen Marda’s 31st of the season and a phenomenal Cameron Carter-Vickers hit put the Hoops four-up before Dan Armstrong netted for the visitors ahead of the interval.

Celts sub Tony Ralston claimed their fifth in the 93rd minute.

Defeat for Rangers in Aberdeen would clinch four-in-a-row, otherwise they’ll have to wait until a fortnight for the first game of the split – with next up the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

A beaming Rodgers – who will now be cheering on compatriot Rory McIlroy in the Masters – insisted in a pre-match interview he’ll be in charge for a ‘minimum’ three years with his contract up in 2026.

The Irishman had appeared to leave a question mark over his position in the build-up to the game as he emphasised a need for squad freshness for next term – with the alternative being a fresh voice for the players.

But Rodgers said: “For any avoidance of doubt, because I was surprised when I got asked the question, I think if you were sat in my press conference here on the very first day I arrived, I promised unless I was removed I’d be here for three years minimum.

“So nothing changes.

“There’s absolutely no doubt, unless Dermot tells me differently in the summer, I will be excited and ready for the beginning of the season.”

Asked if there had been an approach over a contract extension, the Treble-chasing Rodgers said: “No, it’s not something that the club or I need to worry about now.

“This is about getting the job done and we’ll see where we are at over the season.

“But the club know, as I said, my position.

“I was always going to be here for the three years, but I’m sure we’ll have a chat of some sort over the course of the summer.

“But for now, it’s focusing on getting the job done.”

Rodgers said he’s unlikely to take in Rangers’ game at Pittodrie.

And on the display against Killie, he said: “It was perfect.

“As disappointing as it was last week. I’m so happy for the players and the team this week.

“I just said beforehand at the hotel, I want you to think why you’re here. Why you’re at Celtic.

“And then just before I went out, I said to them, I hope your ‘why’ you’re at Celtic is to win games and win trophies.

“If it is, then you have to have a winning attitude. Because your talent’s there.

“I think any time you get the title over the line, it’s great. I’m still frustrated it’s not today.”

Rodgers added: “Greg Taylor was amazing. He was absolutely brilliant.

“I thought Liam Scales was very good. He’s competitive, he’s strong.

“Jamesy Forrest, just massive quality.”

Cameron Carter-Vickers struck a beauty from 30-yards and a smiling Rodgers said he was like every fan at the moment the defender went to shoot.

He said: “I would think the same as what 60,000 people were thinking ‘What are you doing?’

“But it was a hell of a strike.”

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