Brendan Rodgers has hit back at Philippe Clement after the Rangers manager claimed Celtic were operating on a different level financially to his own club.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Tottenham in the Europa League and Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against the Parkhead men, the Belgian was at pains to point out the disadvantage the Ibrox side were at.
‘Maybe we need to say (the two games are) financially out of our league, but we’re going to compete,’ he said after his side’s 3-0 win at Ross County in the Premiership.
And while Rodgers doesn’t dispute that Celtic are in better shape off the park than their great rivals, he contends that’s only because the custodians of his club have run a tight ship down the years.
‘Listen, Philippe will have whatever he feels he needs to look at within ourselves. I’m only interested in Celtic, really,’ said the Northern Irishman.
‘Where Celtic has come from over a number of years, this is a club that’s been organically grown. We haven’t been handed money.
Brendan Rodgers had his say on Clement’s gripe about the financial gulf between the sides
Rodgers has lost only one of his 19 Old Firm derbies but is wary of an improving Rangers
Adam Idah scored the winning goal the last time the two sides squared off in a Hampden final
‘This isn’t something where we have had someone coming in from the Middle East and giving us a load of money. This is something that’s been grown.
‘The leadership from the very top of this club to the bottom is why we have had the successes that we’ve had.
‘We’ve grown that, developed that, and that has allowed us then to win. When you win, that brings more success.
‘For us, that is all I’m interested in — the greater good of this team and the club.
‘The club’s in a brilliant position, but it’s all been earned. It’s not been handed to us.
‘Everyone has the possibility, certainly teams up towards the top, to earn the finances. And if they don’t, then okay.
‘We have to worry about ourselves and that’s my only interest, really.’
Tomorrow’s final at Hampden gives both clubs the chance to lift the first piece of silverware this season and put a marker down for the wrest of the campaign.
Alistair Johnston was taken off against Dinamo Zagreb but is expected to be fit for Hampden
It will also allow the victor claim a 119th major trophy — a mark that would see them move one ahead of their rivals.
Asked if that possibility made the game any more important, Rodgers replied: ‘Not really. Not for me. For me, it’s about the game. It’s about winning the trophy.
‘We want to win as many trophies as we can. We don’t necessarily have to tell everyone.
‘We just want to win and win well, and then hopefully get into our next game and look to the next trophy.’
Rodgers has a full squad to choose from, with Alistair Johnston set to start despite missing a part of the penultimate training session as a result of the hip injury he picked up against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday. ‘The squad is healthy,’ said Rodgers (pictured). ‘We expect Ali to be healthy and hopefully we have everyone fit and available.
‘We gave Ali an extra bit of recovery. He has been an outstanding player for us and has been instrumental in our work.
‘Speaking to him today, he was fine. So, we expect him to be okay.’
Rangers and Celtic fans have been warned against setting off pyrotechnics at Hampden
Meanwhile, the SPFL have issued a warning to both clubs over the use of pyrotechnics at Hampden tomorrow.
It comes after both Glasgow clubs and Motherwell were charged by the governing body over fan behaviour during the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, when both ties were delayed by lingering smoke caused by the use of pyro.
Keen to avoid a repeat, the SPFL have insisted that any infringements could impact on the ‘ongoing disciplinary process’ facing both clubs as well as seeing lawbreakersheavily punished.
A statement read: ‘There remains a strict prohibition on smuggling pyrotechnics into the match, given they are illegal and pose clear risks to supporters, players and those working at matches.
‘The SPFL, Scottish FA and both clubs are working with Police Scotland and fans breaking the law by attempting to bring pyrotechnics into matches face a range of sanctions, including criminal charges.’
