Brendan Rodgers urges Celtic to focus on Old Firm formula in Rangers clash
Saturday 28 April 2018 12:37, UK
Celtic must ignore party-like celebrations in a potential title-clincher against Rangers and focus on their Old Firm formula, says Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman has gone 10 games unbeaten against the Light Blues since he took over at Parkhead in 2016, with only two draws in that remarkable sequence.
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Another win against the men from Govan would guarantee Celtic's seventh straight title and take them another step closer towards an unprecedented successive domestic treble.
And while the Hoops supporters, who will be in the vast majority inside the 60,000-capacity stadium, are anticipating a day of celebration, Rodgers wants his players first and foremost to concentrate on getting over the line.
The former Swansea and Liverpool manager, who is waiting on striker Moussa Dembele and midfielder Stuart Armstrong proving their fitness, said: "Yes, of course, for the supporters it is amazing.
"Our support is a real special support because everywhere we go, home or away, the support that we have is absolutely incredible.
"And of course, if you can do it against one of your great rivals it adds that little bit to it.
"In terms of staff and players, you can only concentrate on your performance and stay focused on getting the job done.
"And in my 10 games against Rangers that's all we have really concentrated on and hopefully we can do the same at the weekend."
Nonetheless, Rodgers, nominated for the PFA Scotland manager of the year award along with Kilmarnock's Steve Clarke, Neil Lennon of Hibernian and St Mirren's Jack Ross, knows his side have the opportunity to close in on an historic successive treble by securing their second honour of the season.
He said: "When we start out at the beginning of the season we aim to win every competition we enter.
"We managed to do that with the League Cup, we have a Scottish Cup final to look forward to on the last day of the season and at the weekend we have the chance to secure the title so it will be a great occasion.
"I am sure it will be a brilliant atmosphere and I am really looking forward to the game on Sunday in relation to the passion and noise of our support and what they can bring for us.
"At the same time we have to concentrate on our performance, to be as controlled and as dominant as we have been and aggressive with it as well."
