Celtic versus Rangers: Philippe Clement prepared for a ‘gladiator’ showdown while Brendan Rodgers refutes claims of disrespect

Celtic welcomes Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this Saturday, with Brendan Rodgers’ team holding a three-point lead with three games remaining. Celtic emerged victorious in the initial two encounters before a thrilling 3-3 draw at Ibrox last month.

Philippe Clement emphasized that Rangers are not obligated to secure victory at Celtic Park, drawing a comparison between the Old Firm encounter and “modern-day gladiators.

Heading into Saturday’s match, they trail their rivals by three points, with Celtic holding the advantage in goal difference. Celtic emerged victorious in the initial two encounters of the season, and the teams engaged in a thrilling six-goal contest at Ibrox last month.

When asked about the necessity for Rangers to defeat Celtic to stay in contention for the title, Clement expressed some reservations:

I don’t entirely agree with that sentiment. Even with a draw, there’s still a possibility to clinch the championship. However, if you lose, that’s a highly unlikely scenario, almost too improbable for my liking.

Our primary focus is on securing all three points. By doing so, we not only aim for a remarkable comeback but also intend to make a significant statement.”

Once more, only home supporters will be in attendance for the last league encounter of the season, and Clement feels this could serve as inspiration for his team to secure their first victory at Parkhead since October 2020.

I’m aware that many enjoy playing here [at Celtic Park], and the louder the boos, the more shouting, the more negativity directed at us, it signifies their fear of their team not achieving a result,” he explained while mentioning that striker Leon Balogun might not be available for Saturday’s match. “I believe that, in a sense, the louder the boos tomorrow, the more resilient my team will become.”

Football resembles the modern-day gladiatorial spectacle.

“In ancient times, you had the gladiators in the arena with stadiums packed with spectators cheering or jeering, signaling approval or disapproval with thumbs up or down.

We find ourselves in a similar scenario now, albeit without the fatal consequences. While we might face verbal criticism, fortunately, it’s not life-threatening, and we always have another chance to perform in the stadium.

This is reflective of contemporary society, and players must be prepared for such dynamics.

Rodgers refutes claims that his remarks about “having fun” were disrespectful

Brendan Rodgers expressed surprise at the response to his statement about Celtic “having fun” against Rangers.

Following their victory over Hearts last week, the Hoops manager mentioned that his team would focus on rigorous training during the week and then aim to enjoy the upcoming clash on Saturday.

I never refer to these matches as anything other than intense and competitive. We approach them mindful of the occasion. It’s one of the most iconic fixtures in world football, and I relish it,” he remarked.

“The opportunity to manage Celtic in a Rangers match is a source of great pride and privilege for me. I’ve noticed some headlines regarding disrespect, which I find baseless. My comments were never intended in that context, and I would never disrespect another manager or team.

Rodgers, who secured two Scottish Premiership titles during his initial tenure as Celtic manager, is urging his players to seize the opportunity to edge closer to retaining the trophy once again.

It’s a fantastic chance that lies ahead of us,” emphasized the former Leicester boss.

“However, we mustn’t become complacent; we need to deliver a strong performance. It’s imperative that we work diligently, maintain intensity, and ensure our performance is of a high standard.

“We’ll have tremendous support behind us, which will undoubtedly spur us on throughout the match. Hopefully, we can also provide the fans with an entertaining display.

“Our primary objective is to secure the three points. Achieving that would place us in an excellent position with just two games remaining.

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