Brendan Rodgers is facing a Rangers first in Philippe Clement as Celtic boss takes on a true heavyweight – Hugh Keevins

Philippe Clement will, by now, appreciate he has left behind the earth’s atmosphere and landed on Planet Glasgow.

Not so much Outer Space as Inner Turmoil. The place where there is nothing but gravity. The new Rangers manager used his introduction to the media on Tuesday to say he would need time to make his mark at Ibrox. He had the maximum time allotted between 3pm and 5pm yesterday afternoon when Rangers played Hibs.

The meter is now running. Celtic have won 11 of the last 12 league titles. Rangers have won two trophies in 12 years. That is all he needs to know. Clement has the financial security of a contract safeguarding his arrival at, and exit from, Ibrox so substantial it comes into the golden handcuffs category. Rangers have taken a financial gamble because they believe they have invested in a man of substance. And this is where, starting today, Brendan Rodgers comes into the equation.

The Belgian is the first heavyweight opponent Brendan has had to face as Celtic manager – the first time out or the Second Coming. When the ref blows his whistle at Tynecastle at 2.15pm today it will signal the start of arguably the toughest week in Rodgers’ life at Celtic.

Hearts away is always a challenge characterised by contentious VAR decisions and late goals. Athletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann and all – at home in the Champions League on Wednesday night has the risk of disruption off the park as well as on it because of the political wing of Celtic’s support.

And then there are Hibs away next weekend while Clement looks to see what early running he can make in a league title race rebooted after the removal of Michael Beale. The Talkative One fitted the pattern of Rodgers’ life at Celtic. Up until now.

First of all he was