OLD FIRM: Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers issues warning to Rangers

Rodges is preparing for Sunday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with the Light Blues at Ibrox knowing that a huge roar erupted from the Rangers dressing room last weekend when they heard the draw after beating Falkirk in the quarter-finals.

While the rejuvenated Gers have lost only to Hibernian in their last 12 matches, Rodgers has not been defeated in eight games against Rangers since taking over the Parkhead club in 2016.

That includes three wins out of three at Ibrox and Celtic will travel to Govan this weekend six points clear of their rivals at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Rodgers, who revealed defender Dedryck Boyata and midfielder Stuart Armstrong return to the squad, said: “I have no thoughts on it really, either way.

“I was always taught, ‘just be careful what you wish for’, that’s how I was brought up.

“It tells you they expect to win and their supporters will clearly expect them to win.We are a group who like to do our talking on the pitch so that is something that we will continue to do.

“They will look to play better than what they did in the last pressure game that they had which was against Hibs, when Hibs played very well and won the game.”

The former Liverpool boss claims Rangers’ need for a victory is more pressing than that of his sid.

“Rangers need to win the game and that’s the difference, there is a different psychology going into it, in relation to that.

“We will do what we have always done, which is to respect the other team that we play.”