Brendan: We are in title race
BRENDAN Rodgers admits Celtic now face a real fight to hold on to their Scottish Premiership title.
The Hoops boss won the crown with relative ease as he secured a double Treble in his first two years at the club.
But as he prepared for the second half of this campaign Rodgers says there’s now a genuine threat to eight-in-a-row.
With his side and Rangers level at the top and Kilmarnock and Aberdeen also in the mix, Rodgers said: “There’s no doubt that there’s a challenge there now.”
After Celtic’s Old Firm defeat at Ibrox last time out, the Hoops boss has urged his team to respond to the challenge and become champions again.
From the club’s winter training base in Dubai, Rodgers said: “There’s a lot of noise around at the moment and when you lose a game to Rangers, a lot of things are said.
“I try not to over-think it and just focus on ourselves and improving our standard. That’s what it will be about, ultimately.
“Rangers have invested well, they’ve brought in good players. Steven Gerrard’s done really well bringing them together.
“Other teams are also up there and the standard of the league has improved, which is great for Scottish football.
“That challenge feels good. It’s what these players have always responded to. But I can’t affect what Rangers or any other team do.”