Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic should get the kudos for the huge points chasm in the Premiership – rather than point the finger at problems at Rangers.
The Hoops boss has been thrilled with his side’s response to the shock New Year defeat at Ibrox while the Light Blues have stumbled out of the festive campaign even further behind than they were before that win. Celts can go a mammoth 18 points clear with a win at Ross County with under-fire Philippe Clement’s men playing catch up on Sunday.
Rangers’ woes have hit the headlines – but Rodgers hailed his squad for piling on the points. He said: “Firstly, the points gap is there because we’ve been so consistent. That’s the reality. Whatever points another team gets, I can look at ourselves and know the consistency of this team has been very, very good. When you have that consistency, that can be a big advantage. That resilience, that mentality, that focus in order to get those results that allows you to build that gap.
“But absolutely, I don’t think it’s one we can ever take a foot off the pedal. The Rangers game at Ibrox a few weeks back, that was it. I know in sport you can lose, but the genuine intensity of our games was nowhere near anywhere where I’d expect it to be and wanted it to be at all.
“The game has been a learning opportunity for us because being not that competitive, it’s never been that in the main. If you don’t put the effort in and the work really, you won’t get your wins.
“And this is what this team have been brilliant at, the consistently we produce. That’s what we focus on, that’s what our messaging is and that’s what we demand every single day.”
Rodgers knows Celtic will need to scrap for another three points in Dingwall on Saturday. The Parkhead gaffer – who will be without FOUR wingers – said: “These games at this time of the year, there’s no points for style. We always want to go and play and win in the best way that we possibly can.
“It’s always the nature of our game. Ultimately, this will be about resilience and mentality and getting through the tough moments in the game and looking to be as attack minded as we possibly can be.
“I’m sure Roy (MacGregor) and Don (Cowie) will be welcoming us up there. I love the journey up, but they are always tough games. Don and his team have produced some fantastic results of late. They are only a few points off what would be the top six.
“They will be hard to beat. The pitch won’t be perfect, but like I say, we can’t wait for anything else. We have to use the speed in our game, use the quality in our game to help us get through it.”