Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers dodges Old Firm ban v Rangers after Thursday hearing at Hampden
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be in the dugout at Ibrox for the Old Firm derby against Rangers having avoided a two-game touchline ban, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper reported on its website on Thursday (28 March) that the Northern Irishman was only handed a one-game suspension by the SFA following his outburst at the officials after the Hoops’ defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.
Rodgers will miss Celtic’s Scottish Premiership showdown with Livingston after pleading his case with the SFA alongside the Lionel Messi of football law, Nick De Marco in a hearing at Hampden Park on Thursday (28 March).
Philippe Clement’s side will welcome Celtic to Ibrox on Sunday (7 April) in what could be a crucial clash in the Premiership title race.
Will Brendan Rodgers be in the Celtic dugout against Rangers at Ibrox?
There had already been suggestions around some sort of conspiracy against Celtic when it was mooted that Rodgers may miss the Old Firm tie through suspension, but all those theories can now be brushed to one side.
While Rangers’ focus will be on their clash with Hibernian on Saturday (30 March) Clement’s side will know that their meeting with Celtic a week late could be what potentially decides the title race in the final weeks of the season.
So far, the Light Blues haven’t been able to beat their Glasgow rivals this term under both Michael Beale and Clement and they will know that they simply have to put that right at Ibrox if they want to lift the title this season.
Hopefully, even with Rodgers allowed on the touchline, the Gers will be able to end their barren run against their local rivals and claim what could be a vital three points. It won’t be easy, but they have made a marked improvement under Clement’s management.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has been left baffled by a new update surrounding Gers keeper Jack Butland at Ibrox
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