Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers hits back at Philippe Clement and tells him disrespect claim is 'totally without merit'

Brendan Rodgers has told Philippe Clement his claims of the Celtic boss being disrespectful is "totally without merit."

The Celtic boss had said they were ready to "have some fun" in this Saturday's blockbuster Old Firm showdown. The Hoops beat Hearts last Saturday to go six points clear at the top before Rangers cut the gap back own to three with their own victory over Kilmarnock. The Belgian branded those remarks "disrespectful" and insisted that the Light Blues were ready to have their own fun in their rivals' backyard.

But Rodgers reckons his opposite number has overreacted due to a taking the comment out of context. Rodgers insists there's no disrespect meant whatsoever and that anyone who had heard him speak would have understood that. He said: " I've seen some of the headlines about disrespect and whatever else. But it's totally without merit. It was never in that context and I never would be that person to disrespect another manager or another team, but I suppose it's part of the build up for you guys. Anyone who was at my press conference sensed the way in which it was said. The reaction to that is totally without merit and has no context what so ever.

"So the whole emotion, the whole feeling around this game is absolutely amazing. You mention my past record in these games. I have never referred to these other than being intense, competitive so we never talk about the game as that, but we talk about the whole occasion. The occasion is one of the most iconic games in world football and I love it. It's one of the big reasons I'm here and the great pride and privilege of managing Celtic in a Rangers gave."

Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video