Brendan Rodgers tells Celtic stars they’ll learn from this even if they DON’T win the title

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes his players will only get better from the experience of going toe-to-toe with Rangers - even if they end up on the losing side.

Rodgers is locked into a two way fight for this season’s title having been knocked off the top of the table by his rivals from Ibrox as the two sides hurtle towards the final stretch. The champions face a visit from Dundee in Glasgow tonight while Philippe Clement takes his team to face disruptors Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, looking to protect a two point lead. With just eleven games left to play Rodgers believes the destiny of the championship is likely to go down to the wire. But he insists the drama and stress of going through the run-in will help accelerate Celtic’s progression in the longer term.

Asked if he believes his batch of new arrivals are mentally strong enough for the race to the line he said: “Well, whatever happens they’ve got to gain that. You can tell players and then you can show them but the greatest learning comes from the experience itself. That’s when you get the full development.

“I think this group now, being in here at this part of the season, will learn from the experience. They are going through that.

“So whatever happens this year, they are going to be better for having lived the experience because nothing can prepare you for the expectations around a club like Celtic. When you come in here, with the greatest notions to learn and develop, but it's not until you experience that expectation to perform and win.

“Big Adam Idah has said it himself - about the intensity of having to win every game. He’s won nine games and drawn two and he’s still wondering what the question is! So you have to experience it. And when you experience it then