Chris Sutton tells Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers how he can make life very difficult for Philippe Clement

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Celtic face St Johnstone tomorrow before all eyes turn to the Glasgow Derby next Thursday, which will see Brendan Rodgers take his side to face Rangers at Ibrox.

In the Bhoys’ first clash after the turn of the year, they are guaranteed to hold a substantial lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership regardless of the result on Glasgow’s southside.

Last time out, Celtic saw off Motherwell 4-0 to open up a 12-point advantage before Rangers’ defeat to St Mirren. It remains to be seen what the gap will look like ahead of the third derby of the season by the time this weekend’s fixtures have come and gone.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	17	15	2	0	48	4	44	47
2	RangersRangers	17	11	2	4	29	11	18	35
3	AberdeenAberdeen	18	10	4	4	31	25	6	34
4	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	18	7	7	4	27	20	7	28

Nevertheless, Brendan Rodgers had urged Celtic to maintain their ruthless standards as they veer towards the second half of the campaign, which may be upheld by additions in January.

Despite St Johnstone being first up at Parkhead, Chris Sutton has told the Irishman how he could make life very difficult for Philippe Clement.

Chris Sutton on Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement

Writing in his Daily Record column, Sutton made the point that a Glasgow Derby defeat for Clement could cost him his job as any credit his opposite number has in the bank would be wiped out.

He explained: “Brendan Rodgers spoke a year ago about facing five Rangers managers and each time the Ibrox team were coming.

“By Friday, he might have to nudge that number up to six. Rodgers has wiped the floor with permanent Rangers managers during his two spells at Celtic. He’s thrust most of them out the door and Philippe Clement could easily be his next victim within the next few days.

“Rodgers has ruled the roost in Glasgow over a couple of terms with Mark Warburton first to be dismissed on the back of suffering to Rodgers. Pedro Caixinha and his dogs and caravans were next. Graeme Murty barely counts given that he was a caretaker. 

“Steven Gerrard did at least actually win a game against the Celtic manager, but he didn’t win the battle and only got his title when Rodgers had departed for Leicester. Michael Beale was a fleeting opponent and now it’s Clement who is being battered.

“If he delivers another boot to the Belgian on Thursday, Rodgers will be onto his next challenger from across the city because, contract or no contract, I don’t see how Clement can survive yet another Old Firm reverse. Any time he puts some credit in the bank, he always finds a way to empty his account.”

Celtic won’t be concerned with anything other than more wins

Whether it be against St Johnstone or Rangers, Celtic will only be interested in elevating their own position rather than the permutations results could have for their opposition.

Taking a professional approach is the only way to handle the situation because regardless of the Bhoys’ next two results, there is still a lot of football to play before anything is decided.

First and foremost, sending home supporters happy tomorrow against St Johnstone will be on Rodgers’ agenda to cap a magnificent 2024 that has yielded three trophies.