Why I think Celtic will be relieved with one Brendan Rodgers bonus clear despite every Parkhead misstep – Chris Sutton

Celtic can claim they are disappointed Brendan Rodgers has been hit with a one game ban for speaking his mind. But we all know they will be secretly delighted with the result of Thursday’s SFA disciplinary hearing at Hampden.

Rodgers will be in the technical area at Ibrox next weekend – and that has to be a win. Unlike his first spell at the club, there might have been some missteps this season and some questionable calls over the campaign. We all know the two transfer windows were not good enough, too many performances have been under par to allow a pretty average Rangers side back into the title race, and the less said about Europe the better. The manager has to carry some of the can for all of that.

Yet there is no doubt to me having Rodgers in the technical area for the Glasgow Derby is a major bonus. He has shown over the years that is where he is at his best. You go back to his time in charge in the 3-2 win at Ibrox with 10 men. Rodgers’s in-game management was superb, and his bill move to keep two up top paid off and probably delivered the title that day. At Leicester City as well. Look at the way he won the FA Cup against a Chelsea side that went on to win the Champions League a few weeks later.

The same with his 5-2 win against Manchester City. No one can argue about Rodgers’ tactical acumen. He has an ability to see things on the pitch and make the key decisions that can alter games. That will be crucial for the derby when anything can happen and all hell can break loose at any moment. Rodgers will need to pit his wits against a Rangers manager who knows what he is doing, unlike some of the previous guys who sat in that dugout.

The Celtic boss will also be in the dressing room in those crucial minutes before