Brendan Rodgers knows Celtic lead is nothing and underestimating Clement era will offer Rangers title hope – Chris Sutton

Brendan Rodgers has been tinkering away under the bonnet. New parts have been fitted and some of the older ones have been refitted after breaking down.

It’s been a couple of months of work, but now Celtic need to hit full speed both at home and in Europe to meet fresh challenges and old expectations. The machine hasn’t fully purred yet for Celtic and it is to their credit that they have a seven-point lead in the title race without hitting top gear. Rodgers has been making tweaks and repairs since the start of the season with a prang in the League Cup at Kilmarnock not helpful and making more work.

However, in the meeting with Killie prior to the international break, there were signs the machine was starting to tick over nicely and now it’s time for overdrive. A massive period is upon them. Every time is big at Celtic, but this section of the term is always crucial. Twelve months ago, Celtic really stepped on the gas and left Rangers in their dust. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sacked as they powered away and Michael Beale spent almost a year failing to catch up.

Rodgers has a new challenge now with Philippe Clement in the door at Ibrox and he will not, and should not, be underestimated. As I said last week, the Celtic manager will be relishing the opportunity to throw a spanner in the workings of another Rangers manager.

But the Belgian will get the respect I feel he deserves because, unlike Beale, Clement has a proven track record. Winning titles is the barometer and the fact he did so on three separate occasions in Belgium with Genk and Club Brugge tells you plenty.

It’s also my belief he did a reasonable enough job at Monaco in the circumstances that he faced and my initial take on his words are good. He seems a