Brendan Rodgers revelling in perfect Celtic scenario as specialist has derbies just where he wants them

Now an entire season is about to come down to the outcome of three Old Firm derbies it could be that Brendan Rodgers might finally be returning to his comfort zone.

Two of them will determine the destiny of this year’s title race. The other – although not yet set in stone – is highly likely to decide which of them gets their hands on the final piece of silverware of the season at Hampden on Saturday, May 25.

Three games, the outcome of which will make or break everything Rodgers has been striving to achieve since returning to Glasgow’s east end amid a great deal of shoulder shrugging and a whole lot of indifference. That’s not exactly what he had in mind, following the hysterical fanfare which accompanied his first coming back in the summer of 2016. But there was a reason why Celtic’s supporters were so eager to roll out the red carpet for him all those years ago.

And Rodgers lived up to their heady expectations, in no small part by becoming something of a specialist when it came to dealing with the neighbours from across the river Clyde. In 13 games against Rangers during his first stint in charge, Rodgers won 10, drew two and lost only one. And he’s already two for two second time around. In total then his derby day record reads: Played 15, won 12, drawn 2, lost one.

And so, despite admitting that this has been the single most challenging season of his entire career in management, there is genuine reason for Rodgers to believe it may still come with a silver lining.

Chapter Two of his Celtic story may not have begun in a blaze of glory. But the Irishman has a plot twist up his sleeve now the finishing line is coming sharply into focus. Sunday’s Scottish Cup win over Livingston may have been another largely unconvincing