RODGERS RELISHING HEAT FROM RANGERS

CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers claims the close title race is great for the Scottish league and will not be hard on himself for letting slip a healthy lead.

Rangers were seven points adrift when Philippe Clement arrived as manager with both teams having played eight games. But the Light Blues closed the gap in midweek despite having lost at Celtic Park on December 30.

Back-to-back league defeats in December could prove costly for Celtic but Rodgers claims any negativity around their form is hugely exaggerated.

‘I’m not kicking myself, it’s what happens throughout the season,’ he said of their diminished advantage.

‘Our response from the two games we conceded early in December has been absolutely brilliant.

‘Probably in any other country, eight wins out of nine is actually a very, very good return.

‘But I have been in Scotland, I know eight wins out of nine is a disaster, when you are top of the league. So I just focus on what we need to do.

‘I understand this city — the two teams can’t be doing well.

When I was in Liverpool, Liverpool and Everton could be doing well at the same time.

‘But that can’t happen here. So one has to be pushed down, and it’s us because we are at the top.

‘We slipped up in early December and that narrative has continued even though the players have won eight games and drawn one game.

‘I can’t control that, what I can control is the mindset of the team and knowing that over this next period of games we will attack the game. Whatever anyone else says, writes, I couldn’t care less.’

Celtic are top ahead of their home game against Kilmarnock courtesy of scoring four more goals than Rangers, with both sides level on points.

‘I think it’s great for the league,’ Rodgers said.

‘You never go into any league title and think it’s going to be a procession. It’s hard graft and over 38 games the best team will win the league.

‘For us it’s about ourselves and our own attitude and that aspect is very, very good.

‘We just have to focus on each of our games and only worry about ourselves, and let’s see where that takes us.’