Celtic are firmly into crunch time regarding their Scottish Premiership hopes and could put themselves on the brink of the title by defeating Rangers this weekend.
With three league matches to go, Brendan Rodgers has led his side to obtain a three-point gap alongside having a superior goal difference of five to Philippe Clement’s outfit.
Like any derby match, flames are already starting to arise in the build-up. The Irishman’s suggestion that his side would ‘have a bit of fun’ against Rangers earned a swift response from his Belgian adversary, who wasn’t too happy with his observation.
Of course, theatre is part of the spectacle in Glasgow, and the exchange between the two has set the scene for a pulsating afternoon at Parkhead as Celtic prepare for a potentially season-defining fixture.
Both camps have endured ups and downs this term; however, Rodgers’ table-toppers are the ones who have been over the course before, which has to count for something once the action gets underway.
Despite a win virtually settling the destination of the Scottish Premiership trophy, a draw wouldn’t be detrimental for Celtic either, given it would effectively serve to run the clock down on the same terms while giving little room for manoeuvre to their city rivals.
Nevertheless, a club that pride themselves on winning will never adopt an attitude that parity should be deemed as good enough, especially considering the fact they’ve taken seven points from a possible nine against the opponent in question across 2023/24.
Brendan Rodgers fires message regarding Celtic squad
Last weekend, Celtic completed a 3-0 rout of Heart of Midlothian at Parkhead, putting in a dominant display where they looked fitter, sharper and more decisive than Steven Naismith’s men over the piece.
Injuries have been a factor in some of our more inconsistent moments this term; however, Rodgers has sent a message ahead of his side’s bout against Rangers, claiming they will face the ‘best version’ of Celtic since he returned to Parkhead in an interview with Celtic TV.
He explained: “I don’t think there’s any doubt. We’ll arrive into the weekend’s game and this will probably be the best version of the team that I’ve had since I’ve been here.
“When I look at the number of injuries that we’ve had right the way through and the disruptions, it felt like the last weekend was about there virtually in terms of player availability and in terms of fitness-wise as well.
“I think after another good week of work and concentration on the training field, then we’ll arrive into Saturday in as good a place as we’ve been all season.”
Rodgers clearly has his eye on the prize at stake and has a settled squad to choose from, which hasn’t always been the case over the course of the season.
Hopefully, this can bode well once Saturday lunchtime rolls around, and the 51-year-old can make it just one loss in 17 against Rangers during his time in Glasgow.