Old Firm Showdown: Managers Sound Off Ahead of Epic Rangers vs Celtic Clash
Catch the highly anticipated clash between Rangers and Celtic as they vie for supremacy in the Old Firm derby Beale emphasizes the need for domestic success while Rodgers describes it as a thrilling encounter Tune in to Sky Sports Football at 11am on Sunday to witness the excitement unfold Scottish Premiership and SWPL also available on Sky Sports
Michael Beale's Rangers and Brendan Rodgers' Celtic will face off in the first Old Firm match of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday, airing live on We TV.
Following their initial loss to Kilmarnock on the opening day, Rangers have bounced back with two consecutive victories in the league, netting a total of six goals and not conceding any.
Celtic's 100 per cent league start was halted by a 0-0 draw at home to St Johnstone after they suffered an early exit from the Viaplay Cup.
Rangers
Celtic
Sunday 3rd September 11:00am
Kick off 12:00pm
The Hoops, who will have no fans at Ibrox, sit one point clear of their rivals going into the game.
In addition to the motivation to surpass the Scottish champions, Rangers will also aim to bounce back from their heavy defeat of 5-1 against PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League play-off earlier this week.
During his previous tenure at Celtic, Rodgers only experienced one defeat against Rangers, while Beale achieved his first victory in the Old Firm match during the last game of the past season.
Here is what both managers have had to say ahead of Sunday's showdown.
"Since the beginning of the season, domestically, we have made significant progress. In our last two league matches, we have managed to keep clean sheets and have scored a total of six goals, with six different players contributing to the scoreline.
Our primary focus and priority lie within the domestic competitions, while keeping our European endeavors aside."
We have successfully secured a spot in the League Cup quarter-final. Achieving a strong performance in the upcoming Old Firm match before the international break would greatly benefit us as we approach the September international break.
This season, it is crucial that we focus on the domestic competitions as they serve as a true measure of our progress and demand our utmost effort and commitment.
Both clubs have undergone significant changes since the end of the season, with a new manager now at the helm across the road. This manager is undoubtedly well-versed in the intricacies of Celtic.
In terms of incoming and outgoing players, they seem to have a squad that is perhaps more stable than ours. We have seen around 15 players leave and only nine join us.
"It's an amazing game for both the players and the management teams.
Our top priority is to emerge victorious, and achieving that will greatly benefit us. However, I have no doubt that they share the same mindset, which means that when these two teams clash, it will be a truly remarkable spectacle for all the spectators."
Beale: We need to impress domestically
I was very fortunate during my previous time here as we achieved outstanding performances and results. This game is truly remarkable to be a part of. Nonetheless, venturing to Ibrox always presents a formidable challenge that is far from easy.The players are prepared for it, and we must go out there and play the style of football we desire. We need to deliver the performance we want, and if we can achieve that, it will greatly increase our chances of obtaining a positive result once again.
Undoubtedly, Rangers will be a formidable adversary. They will naturally feel disappointed with the outcome, but facing challenging qualification games in the Champions League is always part of the journey. I have experienced it myself.
Facing Celtic at Ibrox is a great opportunity for them, as they are a challenge and we aim to win. However, it is also fantastic for us to showcase our desired level of play and achieve a favorable outcome. Despite winning two league games and drawing one, our performance versus St Johnstone last weekend fell short of our expectations.
"We must enhance the pace of our game, which is crucial when facing opponents. Upon analyzing the game, it became evident to me the specific areas that require improvement.
Observing the players during training this week, it is apparent that they are growing more confident, and we intend to carry that momentum into the upcoming match this weekend."
Rodgers: A fantastic game to be involved in
Catch the live broadcast of the Celtic vs Rangers match starting at 11am on Sunday, exclusively on We Football. The thrilling kick-off is scheduled for 12pm. For a comprehensive coverage experience, don't miss our dedicated live match blog where you can find in-game highlights and expert analysis.Later that evening, we will be sharing the full match highlights on the We digital platforms as well as the We Football YouTube channel.
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