Rodgers and the Celtic players have the added distraction of their upcoming Champions League game in midweek but this match is even more important with three points for either side likely to give them the impetus for the rest of the campaign. “And if we do that, we will be in a good place”.
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“I don’t see a major gulf”.
Rodgers, who confirmed that Griffiths is out for the Champions League game against Barcelona in midweek, while skipper Scott Brown will be monitored after picking up a knock, said: “It is ironic”.
The move backfired when Philippe Senderos picked up a second yellow card for handball shortly afterwards, and midfielder Joey Barton was forced to play as a lone centre-back. “Always keenly fought, tough games but we’re looking forward to it”. And I think the performance showed that, I really felt we deserved to win it.
“But, as I say, at 3-1 we had a choice to make – damage limitation or do we actually look to say ‘will we get the next goal here and we could nick something at the end?'”
Chief superintendent Brian McInulty said: “I would like to thank all the supporters who came to enjoy the match today in a safe and responsible manner”.
“For us to come back (after the worldwide break) and play to that intensity and that level and be that clinical, it was a joy to see”, he said.
“We have got a confidence, we have a confidence in what the manager wants us to do”. The clubs will also be delighted, too – Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has said Rangers’ demotion has cost his club 10 million pounds ($13.3 million) a year in revenue.
Worse was to come for Rangers in the 75th minute as Kiernan limped off injured before Senderos saw red as he bizarrely opted to punch the ball away after a mistimed jump to pick up his second booking.
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Rodgers, after his first Old Firm match, admitted the occasion was “everything I expected and more” and praised 20-year-old Dembele who has had to play second fiddle to Griffiths in recent weeks. “When he took them on they were in a hard moment”. “To play the game in the right manner and with the right discipline – fully committed of course, but to make sure we behave ourselves impeccably”. “Far from it. At Ibrox next week we won’t accept anything other than a victory and that’s what we have to do”.
