Cocky Rodgers sends Clement confident Celtic Park warning amid war of Old Firm words
09/05/2024 09:40
As Rangers prepare to head to Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement have provided an interesting subplot.
The Celtic manager's casual suggestion that the Parkhead side would be having 'a bit of fun' at the expense of Rangers this weekend has certainly put the cat amongst the pre-match pigeons.
Dependent on whether your glasses have a hue of green or blue, the manager either meant nothing by the throwaway line or everything.
The comment also caught the attention of Philippe Clement, who branded the line 'disrespectful' following Rangers' 4-1 win over Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Now, Brendan Rodgers has been setting the challenge for Rangers heading into the weekend's must win Celtic Park clash.
And the Parkhead manager reckons an injury-ravaged Rangers will have to overcome the 'best version' of Celtic since the ex-Leicester boss returned to Glasgow.
Rodgers sends Clement and Rangers Celtic warning
Speaking to CelticTV ahead of Rangers' trip to Parkhead, Brendan Rodgers is certainly in confident mood.
And really it's hard to blame him.
As Rangers' title tilt advantage was surrendered in a disastrous run of one win in five Scottish Premiership matches, it really looks a form Celtic's title to lose.
Even if Rangers are victorious come late Saturday afternoon.
Nonetheless the occasion is one the Celtic manager is looking forward to and he has warned Rangers that they will need to overcome a Parkhead side at the very top of their game if they're to leave with a victory.
“When I look at the injuries and disruptions we’ve had this season, last weekend was about there in terms of availability, fitness and where the team is at,” said Rodgers.
“It’s as good a place as we’ve been all season. When we will arrive into this weekend’s game, this will be the best version of the team since I’ve been here.”
The Parkhead manager also called on the Parkhead crowd – amongst whom there will not be a single bluenose – to heap the pressure on Rangers.
“The crowd in the Hearts game was brilliant for us. The emotion rolls down from the stands and you see what it gives the players and how they respond to that,” said Rodgers.
“We will need the same at the weekend and I know we will get it. The supporters are liking what they see in the team. It should be a great occasion and I'm really looking forward to it.”
Old Firm battleground is where heroes are made
The war of words which dominated the weekend's headlines has certainly added a more personal touch between the two managers to this Rangers Celtic clash.
Brendan Rodgers has cockily dismissed the challenge of Gers manager Clement previously, lumping the Belgian in with the Pedro Caixinha's of this world at the turn of the year.
Clement – who strikes as a man of high standards and even higher respect – has handled himself with composure until now but amid a fawning media, Rodgers can do not wrong and his soundbites provide ample journalistic ammunition.
The only real way for Philippe Clement to strike a blow is to overcome his Celtic side, something this Rangers squad has found impossible so far this season.
With injuries abound and Rangers very much up against it at Parkhead, make no mistake, we will be facing a Celtic with their tails up who're determined to dispatch us.
It promises a raucous start to the game and Rangers must cope with the early pressure and then find a way to produce quality moments on the ball which silences and even frustrates the Parkhead crowd.
Heading into the game, Celtic's goading is typically classless.
But the arrogance allows for another stereotype to come to the fore should Rangers find a way to channel that frustration onto the Parkhead pitch.
Moaning, groaning and crying conspiracy are the hallmarks of an always cheated, never defeated Celtic.
Let's hope we're seeing through Rodgers' seethe, and not his gleaming gnashers, when the final whistle blows on Saturday.
But more importantly, let's hope this weekend's Old Firm battle is the making of some Rangers stars.
The challenge has been set and the time for heroes is nigh.
