Brendan Rodgers claimed a Rangers robbery but Celtic boss may steal from rival in the hunt for revenge

Brendan Rodgers accused Rangers of nicking the Celtic game plan the last time the Glasgow pair collided.

Maybe this time the Hoops gaffer will be tempted to steal Stephen Robinson’s Light Blues playbook. The St Mirren boss has had the Ibrox side’s number in recent clashes while Celts have found it a little bit tougher than usual in the last few encounters. And it might prompt Rodgers into throwing a few curveballs when the old chums pop across the city on Sunday.

The Irishman shouldn’t suffer too many sleepless nights over it, mind you. The derby is about as low stakes as it gets for Celtic this weekend. With a 16 point lead, Rodgers could hold a raffle for fans to win a place on his line up and it won’t matter a jot about the final destination of the Premiership title.

That doesn’t mean he won’t want to win. And comfortably. Anyone who thinks differently hasn’t been paying attention across his two spells in charge. Rodgers is steeped in this derby and there’s a reason he has the best record in the future of any Old Firm manager.

There’s nothing he enjoys more than getting one over Rangers and doing it in dome style. He’s been utterly ruthless against the rivals and would take great delight in dish out another dull one this time. Rodgers was fairly philosophical after his side got stuffed at Ibrox at Christmas but it was clear he was stung, even if his side has produced a rare off day on the back of several players being struck down with the lurgy.

There will be a bit of added edge to him and his side for this one on the back of it. And the Hoops manager does have some options to play with as well. It would be fairly straightforward for him to send out his obvious strongest starting XI and let them get on with it.