Brendan Rodgers has used the international break to take stock after a bruising derby defeat, but his message is one of calm and clarity as Celtic enter the final stretch of the season.
The 3-2 loss to Rangers at Celtic Park was a tough one to take—not just because of the result, but because of the way it unfolded. A spirited second-half comeback had the Hoops level, only for a late slip to hand Rangers their first win at Parkhead since 2020. The result cut the gap at the top to 13 points, delaying what many had expected to be an imminent title celebration.
Rodgers, however, is refusing to let that setback cloud what has been, overall, a strong and successful campaign.
“Obviously, when you lose a derby game like that, and especially the manner at the end. The disappointment lingers on a little bit longer, of course. We were obviously disappointed with the result. However, what I can’t forget is what this team has done over the course of the season.
“We’ve been tremendous through large parts of the season and now we sit 13 points clear, we have eight games to go, the possibility of a Scottish Cup final. We’re in a really good place.
Players like Callum McGregor and Auston Trusty are returning from knocks, and with the international duties now behind them, the focus turns fully to domestic matters.
Rodgers knows that fans demand derby wins, and he didn’t hide from the disappointment. But his focus is on the response—a theme that has defined many of Celtic’s successful campaigns. With Hearts visiting Parkhead this weekend, the message is looking to finish the job and to push on the challenge for the treble.
