Brendan Rodgers’ title race message ahead of a big weekend for Celtic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is relishing the opportunity to test his team in the fire of a title run-in, speaking ahead of what is a big weekend for the Bhoys.

Rodgers’ side have the opportunity to put serious pressure on league leaders Rangers with a victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

If Celtic beat Craig Levein’s outfit at home later today, they will move a point above the Ibrox team ahead of their tricky trip away to Dundee on Sunday.

A lot has been said about the direction of Celtic’s season, the failings and the inconsistency. For Rodgers, it’s time to put all of that aside and he doesn’t care if he is the hunter or the hunted with nine games to go.

Brendan Rodgers looking forward to Celtic title test

The Celtic boss said [Daily Record]: “It’s all about how you finish the race. This is the point that matters. There was a lot of noise and everything around the beginning of the season for whatever reasons. But ultimately it’s part of the season and I will be interested if we win the league and the Scottish Cup what the thoughts are around that.

“But my only thought is for the team going into a real exciting bit, having these players back, and dealing with the pressure that comes with these last period of games.

“Being the hunter or the hunted doesn’t really matter to me. It’s about performing and getting to the end point where you want to finish.

“I’m only thinking about the game against St Johnstone. We are still in a really good position with what looks like is going to be a strong squad for the run in. I am really looking forward to that because it’s been good, a challenge in so many different ways, but that’s why we are here – to take on those challenges and come together and finish as strong as we possibly can.”

There’s zero room for error at Celtic at this stage. There are seven non-derby matches to go and realistically the Bhoys have to pick up all 21 of those points – it’s too late to rely on Rangers dropping points.

Then there are the two remaining league derbies themselves which, in fairness to Rodgers, is a fixture that has gone Celtic’s way so far this season.

If the manager can kick the team into gear for this final stretch then silverware is achievable – but the Hearts disaster really must be the last one of the season.

Let’s see how they do at Celtic Park on Saturday.