EASTER RISING
Celtic boss Rodgers wary of Hibs threat and says it’s a great place to play football
BRENDAN RODGERS admitted he got swept up by Sunshine of Leith and has been counting down the days to his return to Easter Road.
The Celtic boss was high in the stands when Hibs dumped Hearts out of the Scottish Cup on their own patch last season and he was blown away by the scenes at the end.
Rodgers has been itching to sample the unique atmosphere from the dugout but he’s hoping to leave the Hibs ends silent tomorrow.
He said: “I went to Easter Road for the first time last season for the Edinburgh derby against Hearts in the Scottish Cup. The atmosphere was brilliant.
“It’s a lovely stadium and I really enjoyed it. I loved the song that they sing at the end, Sunshine on Leith. It was absolutely amazing, brilliant.
“I also saw it at Hampden when half the stadium was singing it and it was just great. They sang it after the Hearts game and it’s a really emotional song.
“From that night I have been looking forward to taking my team to Easter Road and I am looking forward to Sunday.
“There’s no doubt Hibernian are one of Scotland’s great clubs.
“I only know Neil but clearly behind the scenes they do a very good job at Hibs.”
Rodgers reckons Hibs will be as tough as any side in Scotland and he’s convinced Lennon’s troops will be in the shake-up at the top end of the table.
Hibs came closer than most to ending Celtic’s unbeaten run in the 2-2 draw at Parkhead and the Hoops boss is expecting another examination.
He said: “There’s no denying we’ve had two tough games against them. When they play to their capabilities they have really good quality.”
Rodgers is up for Easter Road and insisted there will be no European hangover. Celtic slumped to defeat to Anderlecht to sign off their Champions League campaign with just one win in six bruising encounters.
The pundits let his side have it but while Hoops boss didn’t hold back when criticising his side either, in the cold light of day he believes there is a bigger picture at play.
Rodgers said: “It wasn’t the best way to get the outcome we wanted. But we still got the outcome we wanted. “Out of all the teams that went down the champions route we were the only team that qualified.
“Unfortunately we get measured against teams like PSG and Bayern Munich. But if you look at the teams we should be measured against, like Ajax, they did not even qualify.”
Dedryck Boyata, who has been down with flu, and winger Scott Sinclair face fitness tests.
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE Rangers Ross County Today 3.00pm
v BARRY FERGUSON last night blasted Rangers for putting the boot into Derek Mcinnes.
The former Light Blues skipper (above) believes a statement released by his old club hours after the Aberdeen boss turned down the manager’s post at Ibrox was “disrespectful” and laced with undignified and disguised digs at the 46-year-old’s decision.
The Mcinnes fiasco brought an end to weeks of speculation over the Dons supremo’s future after he opted to remain at Pittodrie leaving caretaker Graeme Murty in temporary charge until at least the end of this month as the search for a replacement for Pedro Caixinha continues.
Ferguson said: The bottom line is that it isn’t the conduct of the Rangers I know. It was disrespectful. “There should have been a far better way to put across their disappointment but whoever wrote the statement needs to have a long, hard look at himself.
“It’s not the way Rangers used to conduct their business. That statement just wasn’t the Rangers I know and I’m certain it didn’t come from a board member or anyone at that level. I have no doubt about that whatsoever.
“Clearly, something has gone on in terms of what Derek has not been happy with.
“It could have been a financial issue which he couldn’t come to an agreement on. It could have been a recruitment issue over which staff he wanted to bring in.
“Maybe it was down the level of finance he would get to go out and improve the squad, we don’t know. “I don’t doubt we will find out as Derek will have his say after what’s been said in that Rangers statement from a ‘spokesperson’.”
Ryan Jack will begin a three-match ban for the visit of Ross County this afternoon but Bruno Alves is back after missing the Aberdeen clash last week.
There is no doubt Hibs are one of Scotland’s great clubs