BRENDAN RODGERS admits he is an admirer of fellow-Northern Irishman Stephen Robinson.
However, the Celtic boss has warned the St Mirren manager “there will be no favours” when the dug-out rivals lock horns at Parkhead tonight.
The Paisley side arrive in the east end of Glasgow in fine form after Saturday’s home 4-0 hammering of St Johnstone who sacked gaffer Steven MacLean 24 hours after their fifth league defeat of the season that sees them anchored to the foot of the table.
Remarkably, the Perth outfit collected one of their four points from the home of the champions in August following an uninspired showing from the hosts in a drab goalless draw.
YOU NEED HANDS…Brendan Rodgers and Stephen Robinson go through the touchline routine during Celtic’s 2-0 League Cup Final win over Motherwell in November 2017.
Rodgers faced up to Robinson in two Cup Finals in his second season at Parkhead during his first reign as boss.
Tonight’s opposite number was in charge of Motherwell during the 2017/18 campaign when the Hoops won 2-0 at Hampden on both occasions.
Goals from James Forrest and Moussa Dembele (pen) gave Rodgers’ men the League Cup on November 26 and strikes from Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham claimed the Scottish Cup on May 19 to seal the manager’s second successive domestic clean sweep.
Looking ahead to his latest meeting with Robinson, the Hoops chief, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “I like Stephen, he’s done a good job wherever he has been.
“The Motherwell job was fantastic, having played them in two Finals and a number of games both at Fir Park and Celtic Park.
“He builds really competitive teams, teams that are well coached and well organised.
“It is a great little club, lovely stadium, the pitch is fantastic, and he’s done a really good job.
“I look forward to seeing him on Wednesday, but there will be no favours.”
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Cetic v St Mirren this evening – only in your champion CQN.
