Brendan Rodgers: This means everything to the supporters | OneFootball

It’s back to Sunday service at Celtic Park this weekend, with Rangers the visitors for the last pre-split derby of the season.

Last time out in the East End of Glasgow, Celtic were 2-0 up at half-time, and finished the game with a 3-0 scoreline which put the Hoops five points in front of the Ibrox side.

A winning scoreline on Sunday would mean a 19-point lead at the top of the table, but whether that lead increases to 19, stays at 16 or drops to 13, there is a school of thought that, considering the size of the gap at the top, feels the outcome of the game could be classed as meaningless.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth as far as Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers is concerned.

He told the media today (Friday) at Celtic Park: “For me it’s very straightforward, to paint the nature of this game.

“It wouldn’t matter if we were 16 points clear or 60 points clear, this is Celtic/Rangers and it’s not a game you want to lose.

“It means everything to them, especially on the back of our last performance.”

The manager added: “From our perspective, it’s about looking to play our game. Our game is a running game, it’s a pressing game, it’s an intense game, so that’s what we want to play from the very first whistle.

“Like every team, we have to make it really, really difficult for Rangers coming to the game. These are games to really enjoy and go on and perform.

“We never performed anywhere near what the demands of the game were in the last game, so we need to put that right in this game.”

One player who has enjoyed and performed well in derbies in the past is Jota, and he told Celtic TV earlier this week that he is looking forward to returning to derby action.

The manager said: “All the players, collectively, it’s important for us to play well.

"But as in Jota going away, when you’re here and you’re playing in the fixture a lot, you maybe go away from here and maybe think there are other derbies that are similar to it.

“But I’m sure when he left he recognised the true real special meaning of the Celtic/Rangers games.

“So it’s a game that all the players will relish, and especially the likes of Jota who has been away and maybe thought he would never play in one again.

“And now he’s back in it and he’ll want to perform which is great news for us.”

The Irishman himself had to adapt to missing the derby action as well in his spell away from the club, so he knows exactly what Jota missed.

He said: “It’s a brilliant game, and I obviously tuned in to them when I possibly could. So the build-up to it, the intensity - it’s more than football.

“Like I said, it’s people’s lives, it’s what they breathe every single day, and you know that responsibility you have as a manager.

“And that great privilege that we have for every Celtic supporter in every corner of the world – the opportunity to give them that real, real good feeling.

“So I tuned into them when I was away from here, before I was here, and, now, to be back in it, it’s obviously special.”

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Celtic Vs. Rangers - Sun, Mar 16th 2025, 12:30