IN the Yin and Yang world of the Old Firm, actions at Rangers never go unnoticed at Celtic, and vice versa. Now that the Chinese whispers over Brendan Rodgers’ future have materialised, eyes and ears at Ibrox will focus on Parkhead.
The news that Rodgers was on his way to Leicester City was confirmed just an hour before Steven Gerrard held his pre-match press conference to discuss the Premiership match with Dundee tomorrow evening. There was, naturally, only one place to start as the man in charge of the blue half of Glasgow addressed the future of his Old Firm counterpart.
Read more: Steven Gerrard 'not surprised' Brendan Rodgers is leaving Celtic
Much was made about Gerrard’s relationship and potential rivalry with Rodgers when he was appointed Rangers boss in the summer but the head-to-head with his former Liverpool manager hasn’t even lasted the campaign.
The departure of the Northern Irishman is undoubtedly a boost for Gerrard, though, and the challenge now for his players is to ensure that they capitalise on it. Once again, the door is ajar for Rangers.
There was little, really, that Gerrard could say on Tuesday morning and it was no surprise to see him play it with the straightest of bats when sat in front of the cameras. The matter had to be addressed, but there is only one situation that the 38-year-old can influence, one subject that really matters to Gerrard, his players and the supporters that will pack Ibrox for a fixture that has taken on even more significance.
“I have just been made aware that he is in talks with Leicester,” Gerrard said. “From us, we just see how that pans out, really.
Read more: Brendan Rodgers leaves Celtic for Leicester City
“Obviously my focus right now is Rangers and a big fixture tomorrow against Dundee. That is my main concern at the moment but we will keep an eye on it and see how it pans out across the road.”
In truth, Rangers will do more than have a glance towards the East End of the city in the coming days, but it is events in Edinburgh that could have the biggest impact on the Light Blues. Come Sunday evening, the season could have a very different complexion.
Celtic will begin life after Rodgers at Tynecastle on Wednesday night before they look to clinch a return to Hampden when they face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals and both of those results will have an impact on Rangers. Only, though, if Gerrard’s side take care of their own business first and foremost.
If the tumult surrounding Celtic turns into dropped points in the Premiership, Rangers must be there to exploit it by seeing off Dundee. If a cup tie is lost for the first time in more than two seasons, Rangers have to avoid an early exit at Pittodrie.
That scenario is always in play in the title race and battle for honours, but it has been refocused now thanks to a major shift. Rangers will believe once again yet they are still very much the outsiders in the Premiership.
READ MORE: Celtic fans react as Brendan Rodgers leaves club
With 11 fixtures left in the league, there is just enough time remaining for Rangers to make up the eight point gap that Rodgers established before his departure but there is no margin for error for the Light Blues.
Celtic fans have been left bemused and bewildered that Rodgers chose now to return south of the border. For the man that recently moved in the opposite direction, there was no real shock at the development.
“Not really,” Gerrard said when asked if he was surprised at the timing. “These things happen. Brendan has done ever so well at Celtic over the last few years so it is no surprise that other clubs are watching him and are wanting to acquire his services, because he has done a very good job.
“I have worked with Brendan so I know he is a very good coach and Leicester have obviously decided to move Claude Puel on. So it is no surprise in terms of the timing, sometimes you can’t control that.”
The other thing that Gerrard has no influence over is how the players in the Parkhead dressing room react to Rodgers’ exit and the arrival of Neil Lennon. It can play out in two ways, but only one gives Rangers any hope of salvaging some silverware from Gerrard’s first Premiership campaign.
Too often this term the Gers have failed to make up ground as Celtic lost it, been unable to apply sustained pressure, the likes of which Rodgers never really experienced during his trophy-laden two-and-a-half seasons at Parkhead.
Successive 5-0 wins over Kilmarnock and Hamilton can’t be another false dawn for Gerrard’s side and if they can finally build some momentum, then there could yet be a title race in the final weeks of the campaign.
That is outwith Rangers’ control, though. For them to get back into it, Celtic have to let them. As always, every action will have a reaction in Glasgow.
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