Brendan Rodgers has insisted he is only focused on “preparing the team” ahead of Celtic‘s Old Firm clash with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers this weekend.
It is the first time Rodgers and Gerrard have faced each other as managers, with Gerrard playing under Rodgers at Liverpool – the pair narrowly missed out on winning a Premier League title in the 2013/14 season.
And Rodgers, who is unbeaten in his 11 Old Firm fixtures as Hoops boss, has played down the talk of a “dugout battle” between the pair.
He told Celtic TV (via Goal): “Whatever coach or manager is there at the time, it is irrespective to me. It is about looking at them and how they play and preparing the team in order to win the game.
“That’s what I have tried to do in the 11 games against Rangers in my two years here.”
However, Rodgers did have time to praise Gerrard, who has gone his first 11 games unbeaten at Ibrox, for their spell together at Liverpool.
He added: “I am looking forward to seeing Steven.
“He is a good guy, we worked well together at Liverpool. I don’t necessarily see it as a dugout battle, I see it as the teams on the field.”
Brendan Rodgers’ Old Firm record
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Since being appointed Celtic manager ahead of the 2016-17 season, Brendan Rodgers has played in 11 Old Firm derbies.
To date, he has won nine of those contents, a further two draws ensuring he remains unbeaten in this heated fixture.
In fact, in recent times, these fixtures could barely be called a ‘contest’ with Celtic scoring 30 goals in Rodgers’ 11 Old Firm derbies – Rangers have only managed six in that time.
The post Rodgers dismisses “dugout battle” with Gerrard ahead of Old Firm derby appeared first on Squawka News.
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