BRENDAN RODGERS has delivered a stern New Year warning to Philippe Clement and Co as he prepares his Celtic players for tomorrow’s encounter at Ibrox.
The champions go into their first game of 2025 with a massive lead of 14 points over their nearest challengers and a goal difference that is already out of sight with half of the Premiership campaign still to play.
However, Rodgers has insisted his team will be relentless and ruthless in their pursuit of yet another victory over their city rivals.
The Irishman has lost just one of 20 of these pressurised confrontations and his desire and hunger to continue the excellent sequence is obvious.
Rodgers looks at the match where there will not be a solitary voice in the stand to encourage his side and says: “People look at the gap, but that doesn’t even come into it.
“We cannot soften up, we will NOT soften up. We perform for the next game because we know how much this game means to people.
“It means a lot to the players, too, of course and they know how to win in this game. Between them, myself and the staff, we want to win and we’re very committed to doing that, to put the performance in that we’re always looking for and, ultimately, for the result.
“They are always special games. I never get tired of them, I treat them all like it’s my first one.
“I understand what it takes and what it means to win this fixture – and that’s our aim going into the game.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “We play a pressure game, we play a pressing game and a passing game, and that’s what we want to deliver.
“It’s a great game for us to start off the year with, so we’re excited about it and obviously 2024, in terms of what we achieved over the course of the season, was really impressive and we want to continue with that.
“And this game will then mark the halfway point in the season. Until this point, the players’ skill, their discipline and their teamwork has been outstanding.
“So, we just want to continue in that mentality.”
The Irishman, who saw his team trounce the Govan club 3-0 at Parkhead in September, added: “I’ve got players who know what this game means, they know what it takes to win. Like me, they are committed to delivering that.
“I trust this group, we’ve been together long enough now after those early teething problems we had last season and we see that consistency now.
“So, of course, I go into every game now with that feeling, but there’s always pressure there, but pressure is what this club is all about.
“You can never look for an easy game, you know you have to perform well because it’s not just about winning, it’s about performing, and these games give you a wonderful opportunity to do that.”
* CQN wishes all our readers a Happy New Year and we hope 2025 brings you all you could hope for – on and off the field. Please take care, remain safe, stay healthy and be good to each other.
