BRENDAN Rodgers has described the absence of away fans from the Old Firm game tomorrow as a shame – but predicted that it could help Celtic to record a triumph over Rangers at Ibrox.
Rodgers admitted he is looking forward to being involved in the world-famous fixture for the first time since returning to Parkhead as manager back in June.
However, the Northern Irishman is disappointed there will be no travelling supporters inside the ground due to a dispute between the Glasgow giants’ respective boards over ticket allocations and safety issues.
But he is hopeful his side, who have failed to both win and score in their last two games against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone, can perform well against their city rivals in the cinch Premiership encounter and get the crowd to pile pressure on their own team.
“It’s just a real shame that there are no away supporters in terms of the game itself,” said Rodgers. “I think it’s a shame for supporters not being able to be there and a shame for players as well.
“When you are an away player, even a home player, and you run out to these games at Ibrox to see the away end full it was a brilliant feeling.
“It was brilliant for a Celtic manager and player and I’m sure it was a great feeling as well for a Rangers player to run out and want to prove to their own supporters how much they want to win.”
He added: “I just think that, with regards to the whole dynamic of it, the game is worse off. It’s just a shame.
“This game is iconic around the world and having been involved in Liverpool-Manchester United games and Liverpool-Everton games, this is on a different scale altogether.
“It’s not always just the football, a big part of it is the supporters. That’s why it’s so iconic around the world - so to have the game with away fans not there is not the same.
“You want to put on the best spectacle that you possibly can. Over the years watching the games and having been involved in them, with both sets of supporters in it’s a better watch. It’s a better viewing spectacle and a better standard for the Scottish game.”
Rangers, who lost 5-1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands on Wednesday night to miss out on a place in the Champions League group stage, are expected to benefit hugely from the backing they will receive.
But Rodgers, who has Oh Hyeon-gyu available again after the South Korean striker recovered from a minor injury, is optimistic that Celtic can get the 52,000-strong crowd to turn on their own team.
“That’s always the feeling,” he said. “For us the focus is that you always have to weather a storm if you are going to Ibrox. You have to be ready to start fast yourself.
“And our idea is to play football to the level we want to play, which is about attacking the game and creating opportunities to score.
“When we do that – with supporters in or not – that always creates an anxiety for the home team. So that is our purpose going into the game.
“You know you have to defend well in moments of the game, but our aim is to go and win the game.”
