Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has tried to maintain a sense of proportion ahead Saturday’s Old Firm match against arch Glasgow rivals Rangers, saying the Hoops are always under pressure to win no matter their opponents.
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After Joe Garner made it 2-1 before half time, Scott Sinclair got on the score sheet to restore Celtic’s two goal lead.
Rangers’ hopes of a fightback ended in the 73rd minute when defender Philippe Senderos was sent off after receiving a yellow card for deliberate handball, his second caution of the game.
Gers have now slipped four points behind their rivals, who have a game in hand, after just five matches. In the third qualifying round, with Celtic facing extra time against Astana, he embarked on a mazy dribble that won a penalty kick from which he was decisive.
Craig John Shields: With one eye on a trip to Barcelona on Tuesday, Celtic’s strength-in-depth should be enough to see off a spirited Rangers side.
Celtic manager Rodgers, as quoted on the club’s Twitter page, has revealed that they face a 24-hour wait before they’ll know if their star forward is going to be fit for the weekend, but did say that he only missed training as it was a light session.
Barrie had the chance when he curled it just wide of the far post and I said to David [Weir] “we are in good shape here”. That differentiates players. But we’ll be better for today.
“He got them playing a really good style of football and I think they responded very well to his methods”.
Full-back Kieran Tierney, who also pulled out of Scotland’s 5-1 win in Malta, has recovered from a leg injury and is expected to take his place on the left side of the defence with new signing Cristian Gamboa in contention for a start on the right.
“Whether we were playing Rangers, Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Hearts, whoever we play at home, the objective going into the game is to win”.
“But that never stopped us past year”.
Barton tweeted on Sunday morning for the first time since Rangers’ crushing defeat, and offered no excuses for the poor result or his own performance.
“I don’t want our fans to think this is taken lightly, we’ve got a proper inquest in there”.
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“I don’t see a major gulf”.
