Brendan Rodgers insists he will not get involved in a touchline battle with Rangers boss Steven Gerrard during the Old Firm clash at Parkhead on Sunday.
The Celtic coach has won 11 fixtures against the Bhoys’ city rivals since he took charge in 2016 and he remains unbeaten against the Gers.
Former Liverpool player Gerrard worked under Rodgers at Anfield and he will be doing all he can to upset the apple cart this weekend.
Both teams have got European fixtures to fulfil beforehand but Rodgers insists he will not get too carried away against his former player.
He told Celtic TV: “I am looking forward to seeing Steven. He is a good guy, we worked well together at Liverpool.
“I don’t necessarily see it as a dugout battle, I see it as the teams on the field. Whatever coach or manager is there at the time, it is irrespective to me.
“It is about looking at them and how they play and preparing the team in order to win the game. That’s what I have tried to do in the 11 games against Rangers in my two years here.
“So that’s the focus really. Try to analyse them the best we can. There is no doubt Steven has made a difference to them and made a change to them, a positive change.
“No matter the form, they are always tough games so our notion after Thursday will be to focus on that and be ready for it.”
Celtic are 1.70 favourites, with the draw 4.00, while Rangers are priced at 4.75 to record a shock win.
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