My record makes me proud..I know the joy and happiness I can bring to our fans all around the world
SAYS BRENDAN RODGERS
HE’S only ever lost one Old Firm derby.
And Brendan Rodgers says his impeccable record against Rangers is because he knows exactly what it means to fans to beat their oldest rivals.
He has managed Celtic in 17 of these fixtures now after yesterday’s 2-1 title-clinching victory at Parkhead. Rodgers has only lost one – 1-0 at Ibrox in December 2018. And he was at it again yesterday, securing a vital three points for his 150th win as Hoops gaffer.
Matt O’Riley’s goal and a John Lundstram OG all but secured a third straight title for Celtic, as Rangers were brushed aside again at Parkhead.
Rodgers took his side on a lap of honour knowing they’ve got one hand on the trophy.
And he said: “As a Celtic manager it’s a big part of your life here. You’re judged on these games. But I’m just happy for the supporters.
“I’ve been there. I’ve stood in pubs all over the world or sat in living rooms nervous as anything about these games.
“You know the joy and happiness you can bring to the lives of the supporters worldwide on the basis of winning these games.
“So my record in them makes me proud. But I don’t look back, my job here is to develop the mentality and keep striving to win many more.
“I’m loving it here second time around. Not many people get the chance to come back so I’m very privileged.
“And what I did the first time, I want to build on that.
“I love this club and I love the life here. But there’s a lot more for us to achieve here. So hopefully there can be another 150 wins. That’s the plan.”
Rodgers was full of praise for his side’s performance but said it wasn’t without fault.
At 2- 0 up they allowed Rangers back into the game through a Cyriel Dessers header.
Then when O’Riley missed a penalty at the start of the second half, they took their foot off the gas.
That irked the manager, who subbed Reo Hatate for losing possession. Rodgers said: “I was really pleased up until we missed the penalty.
“Our energy, speed and tempo – as well as the quality of our football – was very good. We had a few chances to score before we did then we got a fantastic goal from Matty.
“At 2-0 we switched off and lost concentration. That gave them something in the game.
“In the second half we started well but missed the penalty.
“And it’s something I’ve said to the players as part of our progress. At 11 v 10, as we’ve been a few times this season, I don’t like it. We’re not good at it.
“There shouldn’t be that tension at the end of a game when you have so much control.
“That’s about being clinical. It was a hot day and the players gave everything.
“But at 2- 1 anything can happen against 10 or nine men.
“There were long balls into the box but we stood up to it magnificently. Come the end it was a great three points for us.
“My message at 2-1 was just to keep the ball and manage the game. That’s why Reo came off.
“He’s a big talent but he gives it away too much for my liking.
“As a midfielder you have to control the game. You have to show love for the ball and take care of it.
“It was too loose and sloppy. The game became more tense than it should have been.
“We missed a penalty to make it 3-1 and that’s a game that could have ended up 5-1 or 6-1.
“That’s the downside but if you win a game against Rangers the upsides are much greater.”
He won two titles in his first spell but Rodgers says this triumph will be his greatest yet, given the challenges they’ve faced. He said: “There’s no doubt that it’s been probably the most challenging season I’ve had as a manager. But we need to finish it well now.
“This was always going to be a challenging game, Celtic v Rangers is always going to be tense. But we have an environment and a culture at Celtic which is very humble.
“We work hard and hopefully we can get the results. Obviously the results are there for us right now.
“Winning against Rangers is always great. I know what it means to so many lives around the world.
“We get the job done and it puts us in an absolutely brilliant position – the position we wanted to be in at the end of the game.”