Rodgers: This game is about joy, not disrespect!

BRENDAN RODGERS has fired back at Philippe Clement’s claims of disrespect.

The Celtic boss firmly dismissed the accusation and insisted the irritated reaction from his Rangers counterpart is totally without merit.

Rodgers’ spoke last weekend about having “a bit of fun” in the Old Firm game.

Clement took that as a slight and responded by saying it was “not really respectful’ towards his team.

However, Rodgers stated: “I have seen some of the headlines around the disrespect and whatever else, but it is totally without merit.

“It was never in that context being said, and I never would be that person to disrespect another manager or another team.

“I think anyone who was at my press conference would have sensed the way in which it was said.

“The reaction to that is totally without merit. It has no context whatsoever.

“You mention my past record in these games, I have never referred to these other than being intense, being competitive.

“We never talk about the game as that, but we talk about the whole occasion.

“The occasion is one of the most iconic games in world football. And I love it. It’s one of the reasons I am here, the great pride and privilege I have in managing Celtic in a Rangers game.

“So the whole emotion, the whole feeling around this game is absolutely amazing.”

With just three games to go in a nerve-shredding title race, Rodgers was asked if the reaction was a measure of what pressure can do.

But the Celtic boss, who has won 12 and lost one of 16 derbies, said: “I don’t know, I can only talk for myself.

“I have loved these fixtures, it was the ones game I was really looking forward to since being up here the first time.

“The record is great, but it’s always about building more memories and great occasions in this game.

“We have had seven wins out of the last eight and the draw was still a very good performance at Ibrox, so we arrive into the game in a good feeling.

“Rangers have been close a lot of the way through the season, but that’s what you want, you want competition, and that hopefully brings the best out of you.”