Brendan Rodgers knows Rangers are Celtic punching bags no more and marquee signings misfire could prove costly

When Brendan Rodgers was last in town, trips to Ibrox were about as intimidating as a toddler’s day at the soft play.

Punters rocked up wondering how many rather than what if. It’s changed days now. Hoops supporters will have woken up this morning with a mixture of nerves and dread. Rangers have got their act together for a start, and while Gers punters are not exactly popping champagne corks about the current look of their side, they are no longer punch bags for their old pals.

The bookies have the Ibrox men slight favourites, which says it all. That will be utterly bewildering for Celtic fans who felt their side was in a position of superiority at the end of last season with the chance to widen the gap. Instead, it’s probably narrowed. There is every chance Celtic could line up today in Govan with just one new signing – Gustaf Lagerbielke – in the starting XI. Brendan Rodgers hinted Nat Phillips might not start, while Luis Palma and Paulo Bernardo are unlikely to be lobbed in when they have barely learned the names of their team-mates.

Yang might have a chance, but it’s not a day to test Odin Holm or Kwon. And that just about sums up Celtic’s transfer window. Strange to say the least. Rodgers has toed the party line about sticking to the club’s model – and blimey they have stuck to it.

Hoops fans got a bit giddy when Rodgers came back, thinking it was a major flex from the Parkhead powerbrokers. There was no way a top class Premier League operator would come to these parts unless he was going to get a few quid to drive the club to another level.

But it’s turned out a bit like Ainsley Harriott’s old show when they chuck a bag of messages from Aldi at a Michelin-star chef, and get them to rattle up a gourmet dinner. And