Brendan Rodgers insists Rangers current no totally different a problem to Celtic underneath Barry Ferguson than they did when Philippe Clement was in cost.
Appointed to the Ibrox sizzling seat after Clement’s reign ended with a house loss to St Mirren on February 22, the previous Ibrox skipper took Jose Mourinho’s scalp on Thursday as Rangers edged out Fenerbahce on penalties.
Whereas Rodgers congratulated Rangers on reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, he’s seen little throughout Ferguson’s 4 video games in cost to counsel the crew have drastically modified.
And he believes the interim boss wants extra time to be correctly judged as a coach.
‘Hear, I don’t know Barry, however I do know him as a participant and I do know that he’s gone in and he’ll have an important reference to the supporters,’ stated the Celtic supervisor forward of Sunday’s Outdated Agency conflict at Parkhead.
‘His historical past on the membership, his success on the membership … he was a improbable participant for them.
Rodgers sees little distinction in problem introduced by Rangers since Ferguson took over
Ferguson celebrates with Tavernier after Rangers’ penalty shootout victory over Fenerbahce
The countdown is on as Rodgers prepares for go to of Rangers to Celtic Park on Sunday
‘For me, if I look purely on the teaching side of it, over the course of 4 video games I don’t see nice change.
‘I see the crew go 2-0 down in opposition to Kilmarnock and are available again and win. I see the crew lose at dwelling to Motherwell. I see the crew go away and get a improbable end result at Fenerbahce after which I see the crew lose final evening 2-0 over 90 minutes however win the tie.
‘I’ve seen the crew change the system, completely a very good tactical change to go 5-4-1 at Fenerbahce, however I nonetheless see lots of the identical traits.
‘I feel you may most likely take a look at Barry over an extended time. In case you’re speaking to me about teaching and managing and also you’re speaking ways and administration and professionalism and these items, that can be completed over a time frame.
‘In case you’re trying on the quick time period and him coming in as somebody the followers can join with, in fact he seems very completely happy to be within the job and taking the job, him and his workers.
‘However I feel in the event you’re speaking teaching, I see lots of the identical traits. Some superb performances, some inconsistencies, and Barry will see that, and Neil (McCann) and his workers I’m fairly certain (will) as properly.
‘After which over the course of time they’ll hopefully look to vary that. However whether or not he was in for 4 video games or 42 video games, a Celtic-Rangers sport will all the time be a tricky sport or a Rangers-Celtic sport, no matter method you take a look at it.’
Three years after Rangers reached the Europa League remaining, Rodgers feels their development to face Athletic Bilbao within the final eight underscores the scale of his personal membership’s achievements as they search to shut out a thirteenth title in 14 seasons within the coming weeks.
Ferguson and assistant Neil McCann have a hug after beating Jose Mourinho’s aspect
Celtic can be searching for Daizen Maeda to have an enormous affect on the Outdated Agency conflict
Jota is about to play his first sport in opposition to Rangers since returning to Celtic for second spell
‘I feel it’s congratulations to Rangers firstly to get to the quarter-final,’ he added.
‘I feel that individuals will look in at what Celtic do and see it as being simple, nevertheless it’s not simple.
‘You play right here, you handle right here, a membership like Celtic, it’s excessive strain. Each sport is a must-win sport, that mentality.
‘A crew amongst our rivals who’ve completed properly in Europe get to the quarter-finals, it reveals the consistency and mentality of this crew and the way properly they’ve been doing.
‘However I feel we’re very centered on our personal selves and we would like to have the ability to deliver our efficiency to the sport on the weekend and to see if we are able to prolong our lead (within the Premiership).’
Callum McGregor will practice with the squad for the primary time on Saturday morning earlier than a choice is made on his health.
The Celtic skipper skilled on his personal the previous two days as he manages a calf situation.
Decided to offer himself each probability of creating the sport, McGregor stated: ‘Hopefully I’ll be good to coach after which, if I practice, I can be nice.
James Forrest, far proper, is prone to return to Celtic squad after a protracted interval on sidelines
Celtic skipper Callum McGregor is an harm doubt for Rangers match and skilled on his personal
‘It’s been a tricky week however I’m making an attempt to do all the pieces I can to be out there.
“I’ve stated it one million instances, to play for Celtic is a large honour and it’s a must to put your self within the place that many, many supporters would do.
‘You need to play by the ache barrier and provides your self each probability to be concerned in these video games as a result of, one, it means a lot to the membership. and two, it means rather a lot personally as properly.
‘You wish to play in these video games and these are the video games that, as soccer gamers, are one of the best days.
‘So, if you deliver all that collectively, then you definitely really feel an enormous sense of accountability to push as laborious as you probably can to just be sure you’re out there.’
Rodgers remains to be with out Paulo Bernardo and Liam Scales however is prone to welcome James Forrest again into his squad.
