Hot Newsmanila game Rangers Vs Celtic, Scottish Premiership: Old Firm Clash Not A 'Dead Rubber', Insists Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers during Celtic's win over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final Brendan Rodgers during Celtic's win over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final Brendan Rodgers insists Thursday's Old Firm derby is no "dead rubber" despite Celtic's 14-point lead over city rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race. (More Football News) manila game
Rodgers has suffered just one defeat from 20 derbies over two spells with Celtic (W16 D3), only managing more wins over Aberdeen (17) in his entire managerial career.
The 54-time Scottish champions have lost just one of their last five Old Firm derbies since losing all four of their away games against Rangers in all competitions in 2021.
Celtic have also only lost their opening league game of a calendar year in one of the last 27 years (W20 D6), although that was at Ibrox against Rangers in 2021 (1-0).
The midfielder from Jharkhand was handed over the captaincy baton, while Navneet Kaur was named her deputy ahead of the friendly series against South Africa at the SAI south centre in Bengaluru earlier this month. India won the series 4-2.
"We are trying out the best combinations before the final squad is selected for the Olympics. Hence, the Pro League outing is crucial in our preparations for Paris as well as for players to make it to the 16-member squad for Paris," said drag-flicker Harmanpreet in a Hockey India release before the team left for Europe.
Rodgers said his players will not "soften up" in their approach at Ibrox despite many suggesting they are already guaranteed to retain the league title.
"There's always pressure of some sort. I hear the talk about a 'dead rubber'," he said. "There is never a Rangers-Celtic game that's a dead rubber - not in my book.
"It is where you are judged at this level, working at Celtic or Rangers - I think you are judged in these games.
"I saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst get to a European final and then lose his job not long after because he was losing to Celtic."
Rodgers has overseen back-to-back 4-0 victories over St. Johnstone and Motherwell to close out 2024, but he is still keen for improvements against Philippe Clement's side.
lucky slots casinoTheir most recent encounter with Rangers came in the Premier Sports Cup final earlier this month, with Celtic winning 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Hampden Park.
In that game, Rangers accumulated an expected goals (xG) total of 2.07 from their 19 shots compared to Celtic's 1.47 from their 10 efforts.
"That is a huge measure here of any manager, and I'm fully aware of that, I always have been," Rodgers said of Old Firm derbies.
"Winning against your greatest rivals is very important and the progress of your club is important.
"You want to win every game and you want to perform at the very best level. For me, I love the occasion, I love the game - it's an iconic game and one that I always want to win.
"I have got players who know what it means in this game, and they know what it takes to win, and they - like I - are committed to delivering that."
Rodgers will be hoping for another fast start on Thursday, with Celtic scoring the opening goal in nine of the last 10 league Old Firm derbies.
The side going 1-0 up lost none of those 10 fixtures (W7 D3)manila game, with the last to do so in the Scottish Premiership being Rangers back in April 2022.