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Rangers are powerless to stop Celts, says Gordon
CRAIG GORDON has warned Rangers they will be powerless to prevent Celtic winning today’s Old Firm clash if the champions play to their full capacity.
The Ibrox side have failed to beat Brendan Rodgers’ men in seven attempts across all competitions — with their only draw coming during Graeme Murty’s first spell as interim boss in March.
Gordon believes Celtic got what they deserved that day for failing to hit their normal heights, while Rangers played to their optimum level.
But the Celtic keeper believes a collective will to ensure there is no repeat of that display will go a long way to clinching another victory for the hot favourites.
‘We didn’t play particularly well in that game and I think they did,’ he recalled.
‘It shows that, on any given day, you can go close to getting beaten by anybody. We didn’t play to our standards and nearly got caught out.
‘It’s a reminder of what can happen if we drop a level. But we know if we play to the best of our ability, we’ll win.’
Victory for Celtic would extend the gap between the Glasgow rivals to 14 points with just 16 games remaining.
But Rodgers did not concede
that Rangers’ title hopes would suffer a mortal wound in that event. ‘I wouldn’t think as far as that yet,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘For me, it is just about getting the three points and playing well. We want to show we still have that hunger to finish off the season. ‘Listen, of course, if we do take all three points and it does go to 14, then that is a big lead. But I wouldn’t think too much about it so much at this point in time.’ Rodgers welcomes Scott Sinclair back into his squad, while Jonny Hayes embarks on his recovery from a broken leg. ‘Scott is fit,’ said Rodgers. ‘He has trained with us. It’s bitterly disappointing for Jonny because he has settled in, he started to show what he can do and started the game against Dundee the other day really well. ‘I went to see him in hospital and he’s recovered from the operation. He was in for a bit of lunch with the squad on Friday. ‘Jonny’s in good spirits, he’s a very positive guy anyway. He’ll have his hands full. He’s broken his leg, his wife is due their second child on January 13 and he misses out on a trip to Dubai.’ With the transfer window opening next week, Rodgers might well have new faces on board for the training camp besides defender Marvin Compper. Celtic stand to make around £7.5million thanks to former Parkhead star Virgil van Dijk’s move from Southampton to Liverpool, but Rodgers isn’t aware if that windfall will directly affect him so soon. ‘It hasn’t been mentioned as yet,’ he said. ‘It hasn’t gone through yet. Don’t spend it until it’s in the bank! ‘But, clearly, it’s great for him and playing for a club like Celtic will prepare him for Liverpool.’