As if next weekend’s Rangers visit to Celtic Park needed any more drama.
The Ibrox side have set-up an almighty clash with their eternal rivals in match day three of the Scottish Premiership split following a 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock in Glasgow.
The Gers came from a goal down to convincingly dispatch Derek McInnes’ men in the end but it was a game fraught with incident as Philippe Clement’s team kept their faint title hopes alive.
Celtic had stretched their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points by beating Hearts 3-0 the day before.
But whilst the drama of Rangers’ Old Firm trip to the east end of the city was already at fever pitch, comments from Brendan Rodgers have added extra spice to the entire occasion.
And now so has a steely-eyed response from Philippe Clement.
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Cocky Rodgers prods Clement
It’s all been quite nicey-nice between Philippe Clement and Brendan Rodgers in the Old Firm to date.
Despite the Belgian losing one and drawing the other of his two derby clashes in Glasgow, the Rangers manager has always spoke respectfully and positively about his dugout rival and Celtic.
The same cannot be said of Brendan Rodgers and his glaringly shiny two-bit Turkish gnashers.
The Northern Irishman channeled his inner Celtic dad back at December’s meeting by claiming that Clement was the fifth manager who was ‘coming’ to halt his impervious record at Parkhead before being swotted aside.
“Over my two spells here, I’ve worked against five Rangers managers,” said Rodgers. “And every time Rangers were coming.
“Every time at some point. So for me, it’s normal, I don’t you know, like I said the other day if I listen to the media and the press then we’d be in constant crisis mode and constant fear of Rangers.
“But it’s the fifth manager now. So for me my focus is only Celtic and concentrated very much on here and a lot of the stuff that maybe does go around thankfully I ignore it.”
Rangers manager Clement let that one slide, but the Belgian hasn’t been so passive about Rodgers’ latest comments.
Heading into the clash with Kilmarnock, Brendan Rodgers ramped up the mind games by talking about ‘scoreboard pressure’ and having a ‘bit of fun’ when Rangers come to town next weekend.
“80% of it now is mental,” said Rodgers. “Physically in the main they’re in a good place, really good place.
“This stage of the season it’s all mentality and mentally you can see we’re in a really good place.
“But take nothing for granted, keep our composure, got a lot of work to do in the week, get our plan ready, and then next Saturday we’ll have a bit of fun then.”
Rodgers had hoped the comments, clearly aimed at turning the screw ahead of Kilmarnock’s visit, would’ve paved the way for Celtic setting up a Parkhead party next weekend.
But that’s not how Philippe Clement took it.
Rangers boss brands Celtic manager ‘disrespectful’
Former Belgian international Philippe Clement is a man who commands respect and who gives it, but who is a straight shooter.
Always one to speak his mind, the Rangers manager was not happy about the comments of Brendan Rodgers and has branded them ‘disrespectful’.
When asked about the comments, Clement responded: “It’s something that I would never say about an opponent but OK, we will see.”
Asked if Rodgers was playing ‘mind games’, Clement said: “Mind games in what way? That it’s not really respectful to my team, that I think. So I will never say things like that about an opponent.”
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Clement also referenced Rodgers’ comments.
“It’s a totally different game. But I hear yesterday that they’re going to have fun. So, we’re going to have fun also.”
If ever Philippe Clement wanted to win a football match, you get the impression overcoming Brendan Rodgers at Celtic Park is right up there.
The entire thing has added an extra dimension ahead of the clash, and as the Belgian himself says, let’s just wait and see how it all pans out.
