Brendan vows Bhoys will do talking on the pitch
CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers has told Rangers players to “just be careful what you wish for” in response to them cheering the Scottish Cup semi-final draw against the Hoops.
The Northern Irishman is preparing for tomorrow’s Premiership clash with the Light Blues at Ibrox knowing that a huge roar erupted from the Rangers dressing room last weekend when they heard the draw after beating Falkirk in the quarter-finals.
While the rejuvenated Gers have lost only to Hibernian in their last 12 matches, Rodgers has not been defeated in eight games against Rangers since taking over the Parkhead club in 2016.
Rodgers, who revealed defender Dedryck Boyata and midfielder Stuart Armstrong return to the squad, said: “I have no thoughts on it either way.
“I was always taught, ‘just be careful what you wish for’, that’s how I was brought up.
“It tells you they expect to win and their supporters will clearly expect them to win.
“We are a group who like to do our talking on the pitch, so that is something that we will continue to do.
“They will look to play better than what they did in the last pressure game that they had which was against Hibs, when Hibs played very well and won the game. For me, I can only control our own group.”
Rodgers claims Rangers’ need for a victory is more pressing than that of his side, who are on course for a second successive domestic treble.
“There are different pressures for both teams,” he said.
“We want to win the game and we will focus very much on our performance.
“Rangers need to win the game and that’s the difference, there is a different psychology going into it, in relation to that.
“We will do what we have always done, which is to respect the other team that we play, no matter who it is. Our job is always to stay calm going into the game and make sure that we can perform.”
While right-back Mikael Lustig is suspended, Rodgers is boosted by the return of Boyata and Armstrong from respective groin injury and hernia operations.
Boyata last played against Kilmarnock on February 3 while Armstrong has been out since the goalless draw against Rangers at Celtic Park on Hogmanay.
“Stuart Armstrong comes back into the squad which is great news for us,” said Rodgers.
“We played a practice game this week and he looked really strong.” Determined: Brendan Rodgers has great record against Gers DERRY City were completely dismantled by Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght last night.
Kenny Shiels’ men put in an encouraging first-half display but they were diabolical after the break, conceding five goals as they fell apart completely.
Derry started the game confidently and almost took a spectacular lead when Nicky Low tried his luck from his own half, with the ball clearing the crossbar.
Rovers should have had the lead on 27 minutes when Sean Kavanagh sent Brandon Miele through on goal, but with just Ger Doherty to beat, the midfielder sent his effort badly wide.
But a goal finally arrived on 41 minutes and it came as a result of ingenious play from Rovers ace Ronan Finn.
The ball broke to the captain 25 yards from goal and with several Candystripes shirts racing out to close down, Finn dinked a brilliant ball into the penalty area, where Graham Burke controlled and curled past Doherty.
It was 2-0 within five minutes of the restart as Kavanagh turned Niall Logue too easily before slotting past Doherty.
The game was over as a contest on 68 minutes when a shot from Finn somehow squirmed beneath Doherty.
It got worse for the Derry captain as his poor pass only found Miele, who teed up Burke for his second goal of the evening.
Rovers made it 5-0 on 75 minutes when Miele set up a delighted Burke for his hat-trick.
Ronan Hale’s first Derry goal was scant consolation as the night belonged to Rovers, and Burke scored his fourth of the evening in the dying minutes to pile on the misery.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Horgan, Boyle (Lopes 69), Grace, Gilchrist, Bone, Clarke, Carr (Shaw 72), Miele, Kavanagh, Burke, Finn (McAllistair 74).
DERRY CITY: Doherty, Logue (Ronan Hale 59), Toal, Cole, Doherty, McDonagh (McDermott 29), McEneff, Low, Rory Hale (Kayode 83), Curtis, Patterson.
Match rating: 7
Man of the match: Graham Burke Referee: Tomas Connelly