Rodgers suggests Celtic´s lead influenced poor Rangers showing

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic’s significant advantage over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership could have played a role in Thursday’s heavy Old Firm derby defeat.

Celtic were outclassed in a 3-0 loss at Ibrox as Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper and Danilo were all on target.

Rodgers’ side had gone into the year’s first Old Firm with a 14-point lead over their fierce rivals, and the Celtic manager suggested that may have had an impact on his players.

“The bigger picture, it’s 19 games,” Rodger said. “We’re halfway through the season, we’re 11 points clear.

“I’m not sure whether that 14 points took our edge off. It shouldn’t but maybe subconsciously, it can do, but overall we didn’t play well.

“Rangers deserve to win and now we get ready for the weekend.”

Celtic managed just one shot on target throughout a one-sided encounter, with Rangers enjoying just their second win in 15 meetings across all competitions with Rodgers’ team.

The former Leicester City and Liverpool boss admitted his side were far from their best, though once again pinpointed mitigating factors.

“It was one of those days. They are not robots,” he added. “The energy in the stadium, they wanted to prove a point.

“They hadn’t beaten us and they are so far behind in the league, so there are many reasons why.”

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement managed a first Old Firm victory in his seventh attempt across all competitions, having previously drawn two and lost four against Celtic.

The win moved his side five points clear of third-placed Aberdeen, who have played a game more, and Clement was delighted with a victory that he feels should give Rangers belief.

“It is a very important win,” Clement said on Sky Sports. “It gives belief to fans and everyone following Rangers.

“This new squad is building, there is a lot of potential in it and we will work hard to make it better. That is my job to do, and my mission, also.

“It feels very good as the boys got the reward they deserve. What they didn’t get in the last couple of weeks, we shot ourselves in the foot with goals conceded.

“Things were not on our side then, but you can see that even with injuries and players out, everyone in this squad is working really hard to become better and better.

“This is proof of that and we need to continue like that in the next couple of weeks and months.”