The Celtic manager expects his team to respond after dropping points last time out; Daizen Maeda returns for the trip to Easter Road; watch Hibs versus Celtic on Wednesday night live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm
Brendan Rodgers welcomes the challenge from a “improved” Rangers, insisting that the competition will help Celtic progress.
Philippe Clement has infused new life into the title battle since taking over at Ibrox, and his side is currently level on points with Celtic following a 2-1 victory against Aberdeen on Tuesday.
It has been a 10-point swing since October, and the Hoops, who drew at Aberdeen on Saturday after a difficult transfer window, will now face Hibernian on Wednesday night live on Sky Sports.
Rodgers, on the other hand, is completely focused on what his team must achieve in order to keep the title.
“When you win any league you have to earn the right, but I also think that competition makes you better,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports News.
“I spent enough years in the Premier League to observe how Man City could progress as a result of the problems they faced.
“It’s no different in any of the leagues, competition is the catalyst to improve and be better, there’s no doubt Rangers have done that but primarily our focus is on ourselves and improving our own performance.”It’s all about the next game, and our next game is against Hibs, which will be a good test for us.
“There are still so many games remaining. We’ve clearly lost points, which is disappointing, but knowing that we may not have been as consistent as we would have liked but are still in a very strong position.
“There are lots of points to play for and the best team will win the league over the course of 38 games.”
Celtic signed two players in January: Nicolas Kuhn on a five-and-a-half-year contract and Adam Idah on loan from Norwich on deadline day.
The players rushed out to chants of “sack the board” and a banner reading “Celtic board, on your heads be it” at Pittodrie, as fans voiced their dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer window activity.
Rodgers understands their fury.
“Clearly you’d prefer everyone being together but supporters are entitled to make their opinion and always will be, especially the demands of this football club,” he went on to say.
“All I can concentrate on is making sure the players have that clarity when they go into the games so we don’t focus so much on the mistakes, we look at how we could be better.”
“Clearly you’d prefer everyone being together but supporters are entitled to make their opinion and always will be, especially the demands of this football club,” he went on to say.
“All I can concentrate on is making sure the players have that clarity when they go into the games, so we don’t dwell on the mistakes, we look at how we could be
“Daizen Maeda is back, which is great news, and fit and healthy,” he stated.
“He is actually in a better position today than when he departed because he was still striving to catch up.
“He went away to exercise and play some games. I chatted with him when he returned, and he is ready to start if we need him.”
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