Brendan Rodgers has previewed Celtic’s Sunday’s Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park, with the opportunity to extend the Hoops lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 19 points.

Rangers, currently managed by interim boss Barry Ferguson following the sacking of Philippe Clement, will be looking to cause an upset, but Celtic supporters are confident that the Bhoys can build on the huge momentum they’ve gained since their last defeat to Rangers at Ibrox earlier this season.

Looking Back at the Ibrox Defeat

The last meeting between the two ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat for Celtic at Ibrox. It was a result that shocked many that day, especially given Celtic’s strong form in previous derbies. However, manager Rodgers is adamant that the squad have learned from that experience. Speaking to Celtic TV, Rodgers admitted that Rangers were the better team on the day but was quick to highlight the team’s impressive response since then.

“We didn’t meet the demands of the game that day,” Rodgers explained. “But the players’ response from that has been outstanding. I think at that point, we were 14 points clear of Rangers. We come into this game and we’re 16 points clear. So, the players’ response has been good. And we look to have learned the lessons from that.”

Rangers’ Interim Manager and Celtic’s Resilience

Since that defeat, Rangers have undergone a managerial change, with Philippe Clement sacked and Barry Ferguson stepping in as interim boss. The change has created a sense of unpredictability at Ibrox, and Rodgers expressed confidence that the Hoops can take full advantage of the situation.

Celtic, on the other hand, have shown resilience and consistency, steadily increasing their lead at the top of the table. The Hoops’ excellent performances and strong mentality have seen them rise above any setbacks, with Rodgers stating that the players are ready to deliver in front of 57,000 Celtic supporters on Sunday.

A New Opportunity for Celtic

Rodgers made it clear that Sunday’s derby provides a great opportunity for Celtic to take another big step towards securing the Premiership title. “We will have 57,000 supporters in the stadium, really behind us. We want to make them proud of their team and make another step forward in the league again,” he said. For Rodgers and his players, it’s all about delivering a top performance and maintaining focus amidst the passion and noise that surrounds the Glasgow Derby.

With a chance to increase their lead to 19 points, Celtic are in a strong position, and Rodgers believes the team’s current form gives them every reason to be confident. The players’ resilience and learning from past setbacks, including the Ibrox defeat, have set the stage for a potentially decisive match at Celtic Park.

As the tension builds ahead of the game, Celtic fans will be hoping that Rodgers and the team can turn their focus into another three points, taking another major stride towards a 55th league title.