Brendan Rodgers' hex factor lines up its next victim as Celtic boss attempts to come good on his title prophecy

A PICTURE has nan capacity to opportunity much than a 1000 words. The aftermath of Celtic’s triumph complete Rangers successful September was a lawsuit successful point.

The return of Brendan Rodgers to Celtic wasn’t met pinch cosmopolitan acclaim. Memories of nan Northern Irishman performing a midnight flit to subordinate Leicester City successful February 2019 raised issues of spot among supporters tired of being fto down by managers who expressed their emotion for nan nine 1 week, past packed a suitcase nan next.

After each that syrup connected nan transportation astir nan precocious Tommy Burns, Ange Postecoglou fled for Spurs arsenic accelerated arsenic his legs could return him. If an English nine came backmost successful for Rodgers, location was an evident suspicion. He’d beryllium next.

In a bid to quell his doubters, nan Parkhead leader stood pinch a scarf complete his caput connected nan time of his unveiling and uttered 5 words: ‘I’ll spot you successful May.’

Celtic person ne'er been wholly convincing this season. The travails of a difficult run person raised important moments of uncertainty complete nan squad and nan manager’s determination to return to Glasgow. His assemblage connection has been studied much intimately than his tactics.

Despite nan nonaccomplishment of Aaron Mooy, Jota, Carl Starfelt and Liel Abada, nan mediocre summertime recruitment, nan squabbles betwixt nan committee of board and nan Green Brigade and injuries to cardinal players for illustration Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, however, 1 point has ever offered Rodgers a level of security a Celtic head can’t buy. His grounds against Rangers.

After nan Ibrox triumph which sealed Michael Beale’s destiny successful September, a image appeared connected societal media of nan Northern Irishman successful his car, model down, shades protecting his eyes for illustration a Top Gun extra, limb raised arsenic he milked nan acclaim of supporters connected London Road. The leader was back.

Undefeated successful nan 2 derbies since, December 2018 remains nan only clip Rodgers has mislaid a crippled to Celtic’s bitter rivals.

Steven Gerrard was still successful nan other method area. Of nan 22 players who started nan game, only McGregor, James Forrest and James Tavernier are apt to characteristic astatine Parkhead tomorrow. McGregor was pushed successful arsenic a makeshift left-back and Rangers deserved to triumph by much than 1 goal.

The objection alternatively than nan rule, Rodgers has now taken complaint of Celtic successful 16 Glasgow derbies and mislaid conscionable one. During that tally he has won games 4-0, 5-0 and 5-1 and, while Rangers are a bully woody much competitory than they were successful his first spell successful charge, Celtic person still scored 37 goals and conceded 11.

In 1,440 minutes, they’ve been trailing for conscionable 108, racking up 8 cleanable sheets to Rangers’ two. But for a extremity of nan play contender from Rabbi Matondo successful a 3-3 tie past month, they’d person 1 manus connected nan convention trophy already.

The cyclical quality of shot flips these things astir eventually. Martin O’Neill enjoyed 7 consecutive wins complete Rangers earlier Alex McLeish stopped nan rot. Given nan chance to bring successful his ain players and clear retired nan aged defender from Rangers, Philippe Clement has done capable to propose he’ll beryllium a formidable opponent.

Speaking aft nan triumph astatine Parkhead successful December, however, Rodgers pointed to nan 5 Rangers managers he’d seen disconnected nan premises already. Unless nan Belgian finds a measurement to commencement winning against Celtic quickly, he runs nan consequence of becoming unfortunate No 6.

When Rodgers promised to ‘have immoderate fun’ this weekend, Clement was touchy successful his response. An aged manus astatine nan mind games, Celtic’s head relentlessly preaches nan request for calm. Taking nan bait isn’t an option.

While 60,000 location fans and nary distant supporters should beryllium an advantage, it could easy beryllium a hindrance if Rangers people first and agitation creeps successful to nan stands.

Hearts started powerfully astatine Parkhead past play but grounded to return their chances, paying nan value erstwhile Kyogo Furuhashi scored doubly and Matt O’Riley added a precocious penalty.

Rodgers has already warned Rangers to expect nan ‘best version’ of Celtic seen since his return past summer. When his broadside were dropping points to Motherwell, St Johnstone, Hearts (twice), Aberdeen and Hibs, nan ‘see you successful May’ connection ran nan consequence of coming backmost to wound him connected nan backside.

Against Hearts past weekend, however, location were signs of nan powerfulness and nan power coming backmost astatine conscionable nan correct time. Supporters revelled successful nan benignant of precocious tempo, fierce capacity mostly missing for overmuch of nan season.

Celtic looked for illustration a broadside timing their run. With Hatate, Carter-Vickers and Maeda backmost fresh and firing, fans will move up tomorrow lunchtime expecting humor successful nan water.

While a constituent would beryllium nary disaster for either side, different Celtic triumph would time off nan location squad pinch a six constituent advantage pinch 2 games to play. The Brendan Rodgers hex complete Rangers would continue.