Celtic fans have been absolutely delighted at how the festive fixture period has been going recently.
Despite the Hoops drawing with Dundee United and then recovering four days later with a thumping win over Motherwell at Celtic Park, the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table has increased to 12 points over Rangers.
That was thanks, in part, to the Ibrox club’s surprise defeat to St Mirren on Boxing Day where more pressure was heaped on Philippe Clement just a week before the New Year Glasgow Derby.
With just four days to go before the big kick-off at Ibrox, Ianis Hagi has shared how his teammates are really feeling ahead of Celtic visiting the south side of Glasgow.
Ianis Hagi’s cliched answer to Rangers losing more ground on Celtic
Hagi told The Herald [print edition page 56], “For us, it’s just one game at a time,” Hagi said when asked about Rangers’ motivation at present after they lost more ground on Celtic.
“We understand the position we’re in in the league, we understand the points difference, but there is still plenty of football to be played.
“Hopefully, games like this one against St Mirren will make us understand what it takes to win games at this time of the year and we move on.
“Yeah, 100%, that is who we play for, for the fans, for the history of this club, and for protecting the image of this club. Obviously, we’re not happy with how it ended the other night and hopefully, we can get back on track on Sunday.”
Brendan Rodgers’ full Celtic record over Rangers
Brendan Rodgers has a remarkable record over Rangers as the Celtic boss. Over two spells at the club, the Northern Irishman has faced the Ibrox club 20 times.
Unbeaten against Philippe Clement, Rodgers has lost just once against his Glasgow rivals as Celtic boasts an impressive record over Rangers whilst under his tutelage.
| Record vs Rangers | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | Goals for | Goals against |
| Brendan Rodgers | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 51 | 19 |
Rodgers has also seen his Celtic side score three or more goals against Rangers in the derby on eight different occasions as the Hoops boss:
- Sep 10, 2016: Scottish Premiership – Celtic 5 v 1 Rangers
- Apr 29, 2017: Scottish Premiership – Rangers 1 v 5 Celtic
- Mar 11, 2018: Scottish Premiership – Rangers 2 v 3 Celtic
- Apr 15, 2018: Scottish Cup – Celtic 4 v 0 Rangers
- Apr 29, 2018: Scottish Premiership – Celtic 5 v 0 Rangers
- Apr 7, 2024: Scottish Premiership – Rangers 3 v 3 Celtic
- Sep 1, 2024: Scottish Premiership – Celtic 3 v 0 Rangers
- Dec 15, 2024: Scottish League Cup Final – Celtic 3 v 3 Rangers [Celtic won 5-4 on penalties]
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