Brendan Rodgers Declares Celtic's Old Firm Derby Not A Dead Rubber Despite League Lead

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Brendan Rodgers maintains that the upcoming Old Firm derby is significant, even with Celtic's 14-point advantage over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Rodgers has experienced only one defeat in 20 derbies during his two tenures with Celtic, achieving more victories only against Aberdeen. The 54-time Scottish champions have lost just one of their last five Old Firm matches since losing all four away games to Rangers in 2021.

Celtic's record for opening league games each year is strong, having lost only once in the past 27 years. That loss was at Ibrox against Rangers in 2021. Despite suggestions that Celtic are certain to retain the title, Rodgers insists his team will not relax their approach at Ibrox. "There's always pressure of some sort," he stated. "There is never a Rangers-Celtic game that's a dead rubber - not in my book."

Rodgers emphasises the importance of these matches, saying, "It is where you are judged at this level." He referenced Giovanni van Bronckhorst reaching a European final but losing his job after defeats to Celtic. Rodgers aims for further improvements against Philippe Clement's side despite recent successes over St. Johnstone and Motherwell.

Their latest clash with Rangers was in the Premier Sports Cup final earlier this month, where Celtic triumphed 5-4 on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Hampden Park. In that match, Rangers had an expected goals (xG) total of 2.07 from 19 shots, while Celtic managed an xG of 1.47 from their 10 attempts.

Rodgers acknowledges the significance of winning against fierce rivals and its impact on club progress. "Winning against your greatest rivals is very important," he said. He appreciates the occasion and strives to win every game at the highest level possible.

He believes his players understand what it takes to succeed in these encounters and are committed to achieving victory. "I have got players who know what it means in this game," he added.

Celtic's Strong Start Record

Rodgers hopes for another quick start on Thursday, as Celtic have scored first in nine of their last ten league Old Firm derbies. The team that scored first did not lose any of those ten matches (W7 D3), with Rangers being the last to do so back in April 2022.

This statistic highlights the importance of taking an early lead in such high-stakes games, reinforcing Rodgers' focus on starting strong and maintaining momentum throughout the match.

The upcoming derby remains crucial for both teams despite Celtic's current lead. Rodgers' determination to maintain high standards and secure victory reflects his understanding of the rivalry's significance and its impact on club success.