As Celtic prepare for next Sunday’s eagerly anticipated Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park, the stakes couldn’t be higher with Brendan Rodgers previewing the game. The Hoops are in dominant form and Rangers have been struggling in recent weeks, Celtic have the opportunity to open up a commanding 19-point lead over the Ibrox side in the Scottish Premiership.

A Tough Defeat at Ibrox in January

Reflecting on Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox on January 2nd, Rodgers acknowledged the importance of learning from that poor result. “Rangers stole our game that day. That’s normally how we play and how we do, but they took it from us and deserved the win,” he said: (Clyde 1 Superscoreboard). However, Rodgers was quick to add that his team would be ready for the challenges that come with facing Rangers next week. “But we will be ready for the demands of that game,” he promised.

Rangers’ Recent Struggles

Rangers, have had a difficult spell since that victory over Celtic. The Gers have suffered three consecutive defeats at Ibrox, losing to Queen’s Park, St Mirren, and Motherwell. While Barry Ferguson’s side secured a 3-1 win over Fenerbahçe in the Europa League on Thursday, their domestic form has been inconsistent, leaving many to question their ability to maintain momentum in the Premiership. Celtic will need to exploit this vulnerability, especially given the nature of Rangers’ counter-attacking style.

Rodgers’ Tactical Analysis

Rodgers was keen to highlight Rangers’ strengths and weaknesses ahead of the Derby. “I think when I analyse Rangers, I see the team still doing what they’ve done all season, been very good in Europe, probably a wee bit inconsistent domestically. But the strength of the team is in counter-attack,” Rodgers noted. “It’s not in a team’s camp and connecting the game, so we have to be mindful of that.”

Given Celtic’s likely high pressing game, Rodgers is aware that Rangers will pose a threat on the counter. However, with Rangers struggling to break down teams who sit deep, Celtic will need to be disciplined and intelligent in their defensive shape.

Excitement Ahead of the Derby

Looking ahead to next Sunday’s match, Rodgers is confident that his team will be well-prepared. “Barry will come with passion and professionalism and wanting to make a result here, but I do as well. So it’ll be a great game, we’ll look forward to it, and as I said when I arrive, it will be brilliant,” Rodgers added.

With a 19-point lead up for grabs and both sides fully aware of the magnitude of the game, next Sunday’s Glasgow Derby promises to be a thrilling encounter. Celtic will be aiming to bounce back from their defeat in January and continue their relentless march towards a 55th league title, while Rangers will look to prove they can still compete at the top level. One thing is for sure – it will be a game full of passion, drama, and intensity.