Rangers manager Philippe Clement responded to Aaron Rodgers when he considered Saturday’s rivalry match between his team and Celtic following the latter’s 3-0 triumph over Hearts the previous weekend.
After emphasizing that his team would not take anything for granted in the race for the championship, maintain their composure, work hard, and prepare their strategy, the Celtics manager said his team “can have a bit of fun.”
Clement said: “That is something that I would never say about an opponent” after Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock 24 hours later reduced the distance at the top of the tightly contested Premiership to three points and five goals. It’s not particularly considerate of my group.
Rodgers stated at his pre-game press conference, “I think anyone who was at my press conference would have sensed the way in which it was said,” that he was taken aback by those remarks. That response is completely unjustified. It is completely without context.
“You bring up my previous performance in these games; I have never described these as anything other than fierce and competitive. We always discuss the entire occasion rather than just the game.
“It’s one of the most iconic football matches in history. And I adore it. The immense joy and honor I have in leading Celtic in a Rangers game is one of the reasons I am here. Thus, the overall feeling and emotion associated with this game is simply phenomenal.
“I have seen some of the headlines around the ‘disrespect’ and whatever else but it is totally without merit.
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