Saturday 31 December 2016 09:27, UK
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is looking for his high-flying side to impose themselves on Rangers when he makes his first trip to Ibrox on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Rodgers has faced Rangers twice since their arrival in the top-flight at the start of the season with Celtic winning both games, a 5-1 victory in the Premiership and a 1-0 win in the League Cup semi-final.
A 2-0 victory over Ross County on Wednesday was Celtic's 14th successive league win and moved the team 16 points clear of Saturday's opponents having played a game less than Rangers.
Rodgers is prepared for a tough game but, having watched his team overcome recent challenges against Aberdeen in the League Cup final and a seven-goal thriller at Motherwell, he has confidence his players will be prepared for any setbacks against Rangers.
"I'm really looking forward to it, obviously we've had a couple of games against Rangers this season and played very well and got the victories," the Hoops boss said
"We understand it will be another tough game for us. I expect a very tough game, an intense game, a great battle I'm sure.
"But we arrive into the game obviously full of confidence and looking to impose our way of playing and our style on the game, but respect that it will be a tough match.
"In every game you have to win your battle. Individually and collectively.
"We always aim to play with big intensity and big aggression in our game and that is with and without the ball so we will anticipate that game again.
"What we have shown in the opening part of the season, there has been lots of games where you could say Celtic were under pressure.
"The Betfred Cup final, 2-0 down against Motherwell, the Champions League qualifier, numbers of other games and we have stayed calm and come through the pressure.
"So we know it will be a great atmosphere at the game but in terms of our game plan there is no change.
"We arrive into the game knowing we average three goals away from home in the league so far, so it points to us going into the game with a big confidence but we understand and respect it is a difficult game."
