Brendan Rodgers, with his characteristic wit and experience, responded to the ongoing hype surrounding Rangers after Celtic’s 2-1 victory in the recent derby at Celtic Park. Throughout his two stints as Celtic manager, Rodgers has become accustomed to the constant chatter about Rangers, having faced Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha, and Michael Beale. Despite the hype, Rodgers secured his 12th win in 15 matches against Rangers, emphasizing that handling such challenges has become routine.
The prevailing narrative this season centered around Michael Beale’s Rangers and later Philippe Clement’s Rangers supposedly posing a significant threat to Celtic. However, Rodgers, in a post-match press conference, dismissed the external noise, highlighting his focus on Celtic and downplaying the continuous talk of Rangers coming for them.
Rodgers humorously remarked on his experience with five different Rangers managers during his two spells at Celtic. He emphasized that if he were to heed the media and press coverage, it would create a constant sense of crisis and fear of Rangers. However, with a pragmatic approach, he chooses to ignore the external distractions and concentrate on Celtic’s performance on the field.
Despite missing key players, Rodgers showcased Celtic’s competitiveness, football prowess, and ability to face challenges head-on. Acknowledging Philippe Clement’s impact on improving Rangers, Rodgers emphasized the need for Celtic to be brave and confront challenges, a strategy he has consistently employed during his tenure.
With Celtic now eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Rodgers is aware of the work ahead to secure silverware. Recognizing that Rangers hold two games in hand, he remains pragmatic about the potential for the lead to be quickly reduced, emphasizing the need for continual hard work. The victory, while satisfying, signals a brief respite as Celtic faces upcoming challenges, with a trip to St. Mirren on Tuesday evening marking the beginning of the next phase.
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