Cocky Celtic fans don't mirror Brendan Rodgers and his three-letter word can't be used to describe derby build up

Fun. (Noun): enjoyment, amusement or light-hearted pleasure. Brendan Rodgers lobbed in the little three-letter word last weekend to spark another one of those silly Old Firm phoney wars, but in reality none of those above can be used to describe the build up to the derby.

Try; Torture. (Noun): to cause great suffering or anxiety.

No one has had fun this week. Some Celtic fans might think they have by getting their gloating in early on social media. But ask some of their pals about that kind of behaviour, the ones with the haunted expressions all week, who know just about anything can happen in these encounters and who don’t dare count their chickens. There’s a fair chunk of supporters – on both sides – who seem to think the showdown is a foregone conclusion regardless.

Celtic have their main men fit again and they are flying. Rangers have been limping to the finishing line and are serial bottle merchants in these big games. But that is a dangerous attitude that Rodgers will have spent all week trying to keep out of his dressing room.

Celtic should have the stronger side walking out on Saturday lunchtime. Man for man they have players who have a higher ceiling than their opposite numbers. Yet, if some of those guys drop below their ceilings, then Rangers have players who are more than capable of reaching it. The Hoops cannot afford to underestimate their rivals, despite the cockiness of some punters. Rodgers won’t, that’s for sure.

What has been funny this week is the reaction to his fun talk. The Celtic manager is more than capable of dropping in little mind games along the way. He’s been doing it pretty much all season – but with his own team. Rodgers has used every trick in the book to keep his side on the path to