Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists his side can cope with the expectation that surrounds them ahead of their Old Firm showdown with Rangers at Parkhead on Saturday.
The Hoops have made an impressive start to the season, winning all three of their Scottish Premiership matches to move to the top of the table, while they have also booked their place in the Champions League group stage.
Rodgers’ men will now welcome their old rivals to Celtic Park on Saturday in what will be the first league meeting between the two sides in over four years, although Rangers did secure a penalty shootout success when the two sides met in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup last season.
Despite that defeat Rodgers knows his side will still be expected to secure a victory against their city neighbours, but he is confident his team can cope with that pressure.
“When you’re Celtic and you play at home, that is what is expected of you,” he told reporters.
“We don’t run away from that and we’re not running away to say we don’t want to be favourites for the game because whether we are playing Rangers, Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Hearts, whoever we play at home, our objective going into the game is to win.”
The former Liverpool boss believes the fixture will be a huge occasion for everyone associated with Scottish football and he believes the atmosphere at Celtic Park will be fantastic.
“I’m really looking forward to this here because I’ve heard noise at Celtic Park that I haven’t heard before as a manager and coach, wherever I’ve been, home or away,” he added.
“It really is a unique atmosphere, so with over 60,000 in it and over 55,000 cheering for Celtic it’s going to be an incredible occasion and a great occasion for football and Scottish football.”
Celtic are available at 1.57 to win the match, while Rangers are on offer at 5.50 and the draw is priced at 4.20.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet