Let’s pounce on Hoops slip

STEVEN GERRARD hopes Celtic are rattled by Brendan Rodgers’s departure – but has warned his Rangers players they must be ready to capitalise on any title wobble.

Gers still trail their bitter rivals by eight points in the league but the Hoops have been left reeling by Rodgers’s switch to Leicester.

That could have a demoralising effect on the Celtic dressing room as they chase a third clean sweep on the trot.

And with two Old Firm fixtures still to come, Gerrard insists the Ibrox side need to be ready to take advantage of any dip from the champions.

The Rangers boss said: “We are always hoping that teams we are competing against have their rhythm upset.

“But that’s not just at Celtic, that’s at Aberdeen, Hearts, everywhere. And we are hoping we are the team in good form with the rhythm.

“I’ve had experience both ways really. Sometimes the rhythm can be upset and it might take a little bit of time to get used to the new manager. But at the same time it can have the reverse effect and it’s seamless.

“We’re still going to be competing against a very good Celtic team.”

Gerrard played under Rodgers at Liverpool and said: “It’s no surprise other teams are after Brendan. I know what a good coach he is.

“You can never really control the timing of these things because if a club in the Premier League decide they want to change then it’s very difficult to control the timing.

“All we can focus on is doing our job. It’s imperative we go in with the same application.”

Gerrard doesn’t want events across the city to affect his side and said: “You would take your eye off what you need to focus on, which is our own form.

“That’s been our concern the last few weeks and hopefully you get that chance further down the line.”