AliousBrendan Rodgers is confident Celtic will be prepared to reclaim dominance in the Old Firm derby next week, acknowledging that Rangers “stole” their style of play in the previous meeting at Ibrox.
Celtic booked their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Hibs at Parkhead, moving another step closer to a potential Treble. Daizen Maeda opened the scoring with his 27th goal of the season just before halftime, while Adam Idah came off the bench to seal the win in stoppage time. The result ended Hibs’ impressive 15-game unbeaten streak and provided the perfect buildup to Sunday’s clash against Rangers.
Rodgers’ men are eager to make amends for their 3-0 defeat in Govan, where Rangers—then under Philippe Clement—delivered a high-energy performance to secure a comprehensive win. That match marked a reversal from the season’s first derby, which Celtic won 3-0 at Parkhead.
Reflecting on the previous defeat, Rodgers admitted: *“We were well beaten that day. Rangers took our game from us—that’s usually how we play—but they deserved the win. Next week, though, we will be ready for the intensity of that match, just like we were in the first derby.”*
The Celtic boss also suggested that his squad is in a stronger position now than when they last faced Rangers. With a commanding 16-point lead at the top of the table, a victory on Sunday would move them within touching distance of a fourth consecutive league title.
### Rodgers: Derby Loss Was a Wake-Up Call
Captain Callum McGregor believes the setback in January served as a reminder of the high standards required to finish the season as champions. Rodgers echoed that sentiment, acknowledging that the comfortable lead at the time may have led to complacency:
*”You want to win every game, especially these ones. Maybe because we were 14 points ahead, we softened up a bit. But we didn’t meet the demands of that match, and my teams are known for their intensity and physicality.”*
However, he sees the loss as a valuable lesson: *“Sometimes you need a setback to refocus and put in the work. These players have consistently delivered at every level, and their mentality, professionalism, and quality have put us in this fantastic position—with a semi-final ahead and just nine league games left.”*
### Rodgers Prepares for Unpredictable Rangers Setup
Before the derby, Rangers face a crucial Europa League showdown against Fenerbahce at Ibrox. Rodgers expects caretaker manager Barry Ferguson to have his squad fired up for the derby three days later but admits he is uncertain about how they will line up.
*”I’m not sure what to expect. When I analyze Rangers, I see a team that has been strong in Europe but inconsistent domestically. Their biggest strength is on the counter-attack, not when teams sit deep and control possession. We have to be mindful of that.”*
Rodgers anticipates a passionate approach from Ferguson but remains focused on Celtic’s own game plan: *“Barry will bring passion and professionalism, and he’ll want to get a result. But so do we. It’s going to be a fantastic match, and we’re looking forward to it.”*
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