Philippe Clement insists Rangers will not park the bus at Celtic Park next week as he enjoyed the morale-boosting 6-0 win over Ross County at Hampden Park.
Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo both grabbed doubles in the convincing William Hill Premiership win over the Staggies and there were also goals for midfielder Tom Lawrence and substitute attacker Danilo.
Full focus next week turns to the first Old Firm game of the season with the last meeting taking place at the national stadium in May where the champions beat Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup final with a last-minute strike by Adam Idah.
Clement has a draw and three defeats in his four games against Celtic but has belief in his side.
He said: “We’re going to work hard this week with everybody to be ready for that game.
“To go hard to take the three points like we do against every opponent. I hope also to get a few signings in this week.
“So maybe they have one training or two trainings or no training before that game. So maybe I cannot even use them in that way.
“And I’m focused also on the rest of the season. Not only this one game that comes.
“But we’re going to prepare in the ultimate best way to be competitive in that game and to go full out for the three points.
“Not to sit and park the bus in front of goal and to hope that something falls out of the sky. No, we’re going to go flat out.”
Asked what gives him belief that he can strike the first blow in the Old Firm battle for the title, Clement said: “Because we were really close last season. We were really close at Ibrox (3-3). We were really close in the cup final.
“The difference in the cup final was that they were efficient in one action and we were not. We had the same chances, we had the same possession also.
“So, OK, I know it will be a new game for a few guys. And I’m curious now how they’re going to react the first time to play an Old Firm game. But I’m also really positive about that.
“If you speak about Jefte and Connor Barron – although Connor played there, but it’s a different kind of game with Aberdeen – those are also two guys who in the last couple of weeks have had a few exams for the first time and have taken it really good.
“So I expect them to do it there also. And the other guys will have more experience in those kind of games.”
Reports claimed that MLS side Atlanta United had made a $6million (£4.6m) bid for Dessers, who has scored five goals in six games this season, but Clement stressed his importance to the club.
He said: “We talk with the board about if a bid comes for a player, if we can let him go or not.
“We can only let players go if for the amount, you can find better. Or you can find two for example, one in the same position and one in another position.
“Otherwise you work backwards. That’s not the idea. So clearly for him there hasn’t been a bid that was enough to let him go. And he’s also somebody who loves to stay. He loves to play for Rangers.”
County boss Don Cowie, whose side were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by League Two Spartans last weekend, backed his team to bounce back against Aberdeen at home next week.
When asked if he was worried about the confidence levels of the players, he said: “No, not at all. Because you can lose games of football, it happens.
“It’s how you respond and react to that. You don’t want to get into a habit of doing it. But this club has shown time and time again that if you lose games of football, you react and go again. That’s what we’ll do next week.
“Really disappointed. When you give a good team space and time to hurt you, they’ll do that.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
