‘That’s not how it works…’ BBC pundit fires shots at Philippe Clement with Celtic message

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Normal service resumed for Celtic and Rangers over the weekend.

Last Thursday, when Rangers beat Celtic, those inside Ibrox were on cloud nine after they managed to see past the champions after years and years of trying and failing.

Many were surprised by that performance and result, but going by Sunday’s games, it was pretty clear that it was just a one-off because things are back to normal again.

Rangers dropped points at Hibernian during the lunchtime kick-off, and hours later, Celtic saw past St Mirren to extend the lead at the top of the Premiership table to 13 points.

Clement put everything he could into that Celtic match, including resting key players in the build-up to the match before the New Year – games in which Rangers dropped points in.

But Stephen McGinn was on hand to bring a bit of reality back to the table for the Rangers boss.

Stephen McGinn fires shots at Philippe Clement after Rangers drop points after beating Celtic

Celtic and Brendan Rodgers understand what it takes to be champions, and as McGinn alluded to, those in Rangers colours, led by Clement, clearly don’t.

The former midfielder highlighted how Clement went about trying to beat Celtic, resting all his players leading up to it, and ‘that’s not how it works’ because it isn’t a long-term solution, as he told BBC Sport.

“He sacrificed the week before the derby just to win the Celtic game,” said McGinn. “That’s not how it works at Rangers. Every game is as important as the other.

“I just don’t know what’s going to change long-term with Philippe Clement. They have big days but the bread and butter is to try and win the league back from Celtic.”

What Brendan Rodgers said about Celtic’s 13-point lead over Rangers

This is a case of by how many points will Celtic win the league by and will they win the Treble this season?

Rodgers has been here before and don’t bet against him doing it again because Celtic’s squad is super strong, especially given that they can add to it in January.

When the Bhoys beat St Mirren, Rodgers was delighted with the lead at the top and how the team is in a ‘really good place’.

“I think that’s what it is,” said Rodgers, “It’s just stage posts along the way and being at the halfway point from a pre-season, which has been great.

“From the European campaign which has been fantastic to winning the first cup of the season to then arrive at the halfway point in a really good place and then to add that lead. Of course that makes us very happy.”