Rodgers urges Celtic to give Rangers guard of honour

Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes new champions Rangers should be given a guard of honour in Sunday’s derby.

Rangers will visit Celtic Park having stopped their hosts’ quest to win a tenth successive league title.

The Ibrox side didn’t applaud Celtic onto the pitch after they’d won the title two seasons ago, but Rodgers believes his old club should “show humility and class”.

He told Sky Sports: “I can never forget when I was at Chelsea as a young coach and in that first season with Jose [Mourinho] they won the title.

“I remember going to Old Trafford to watch the game that evening and I’m sure that the Man United players didn’t want to do it [a guard of honour].

“That must have been really, really difficult but it showed you the class of Sir Alex [Ferguson] and showed you the humility of him.

“It was sporting but can also provide you with great motivation going forward. It’s something that for me – despite the rivalry, despite how difficult it is – you should do and then use it as motivation.”

A final decision is due to be made in the next few days over whether the game can go ahead after lockdown-breaching celebrations as Rangers clinched the title threw it into doubt.

Leicester City manager Rodgers said his former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard deserved to be getting his hands on the trophy this season.

“Steven’s done excellent,” he told Sky Sports. “This season they have been the most consistent team from the very off.

“He’s gone in and stabilised the club, gave them a way of playing. He’s had great support from the board.

“The intensity of the Celtic-Rangers competition, the demands and expectation, it’s huge. In that third year he’s delivered what they wanted.

“As a Celtic supporter it’s sad to see, of course, but they’ve been the most consistent team. They deserve it.”