RODGERS: MY BHOYS FULL OF ENERGY FOR IBROX
BRENDAN RODGERS reckons Celtic are transformed from the shattered side that shuffled through the Old Firm game 12 months ago.
The Parkhead boss believes his team are full of life going into their 61st game of 2018 and in the best shape he’s ever had them for a New Year derby.
With international BY CRAIG SWAN commitments, some of his stars are approaching the 70-mark but Rodgers is convinced the energy and zest is there to turn it on at Ibrox.
Last year, the corresponding fixture saw Celtic struggle.
The champions were one-paced and out on their feet as they wandered to a 0-0 draw having been dominated for spells of the second period on their own patch by Graeme Murty’s Rangers.
However the barnstorming finale produced by the troops in their Boxing Day win at Aberdeen and the effervescent display against Dundee seven days ago has convinced Rodgers there is plenty left in the tank this time around.
And the Hoops gaffer said: “I’ve been really pleased with our aggression to go and press the game in the last few months.
“There has also been good structure but there has been a real intensity to our game.
“This is the first time going into this New Year game where I feel the team still has real good energy.
“Last year at Parkhead wasn’t the best game. But this one, I feel we have good energy.
“We have been playing well, we have important players back and we focus on our own game. If we do that, we have a chance.”