Philippe Clement’s worry as Rangers drop points at Motherwell to fall further behind Celtic in the title race

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Celtic fans will enjoy their New Year after watching their side dismantle St Johnstone at Parkhead tonight.

With five changes to Celtic’s starting eleven, Brendan Rodgers will be delighted with his players’ performance just days ahead of the Glasgow Derby match against Rangers.

Goals from Kyogo Furuhashi (2), Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn sealed Celtic’s 16th win of the season against St Johnstone and the Parkhead club’s 50th point in the Scottish Premiership.

However, across the other side of the city, Rangers’ struggles continue ahead of the derby match as they battled back from 2-0 down against Motherwell to earn a 2-2 draw at Fir Park.

Philippe Clement explains why he’s worried as Rangers lose ground on Celtic

Speaking after the match, Rangers boss, Philippe Clement was asked if he’s worried about his team leaking goals in his last two fixtures as the Ibrox gaffer prepares for his seventh Glasgow Derby of his short career in Glasgow.

Clement told Sky Sports, “For sure if it’s two times in three days because it was not something that was happening the weeks and the months before, the last two months against really top opponents.

“So yeah, it’s two times, not the same players, but mistakes that we make, individual mistakes that cannot happen at this level.”

Philippe Clement defends Rangers team selection ahead of Celtic fixture

“You can say with hindsight,” Clement continued, “And if they were injured in the second half, you would say I’m a stupid manager who doesn’t listen to his staff when players are on the edge.

“So no, we know what they’ve been doing until now. They were also fresh. That’s why they could make the difference also in the second half.

“That helps also in that way. So no, I think it’s worse if we would lose them for two months because you see how important they are for the team.”

Celtic are oozing confidence ahead of Rangers game

Celtic are free-scoring, tight at the back and played some impressive football as they extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to 14 points.

With 52 goals scored and just four conceded, Celtic will be confident of beating a Rangers side who have scored just 31 in 18 games as well as conceding 13 as their stuttering season chunders to an almighty halt.

Indeed, Brendan Rodgers will take nothing for granted when he travels to Ibrox and will also refute any claims that the title race is over.

But if Celtic win at Ibrox on the 2nd of January, even the Hoops boss will find it hard to refute that the league trophy will not be resting at Celtic Park come May.