The Scottish champions will look to extend their unbeaten run in Thursday's (02.01.25) match but the coach says that they will not be taking the game lightly despite their 14-point advantage at the top of the table.

Rodgers said: "Listen, we will always assume the pressure. We put ourselves under pressure in every game to win and to win well. So nothing changes in this aspect.

"We always stay in a humble way to prepare for games. People look at the gap, but that doesn't even come into it. We cannot soften up, we will not soften up.

"We perform for the next game because we know how much this game means to people.

"I went there last season, the first game, under pressure and all the things. Now I go there with 14 points... but there's no change for us, the mentality is to go and perform and look to play our game.

"That pressure will always be there and especially a game at Ibrox with no supporters."

Rodgers grew up supporting Celtic and knows what the Glasgow rivalry means to those connected to the club.

The Northern Irish manager said: "I understand the game - I understood it as a supporter - and I understood it from the first game I had as manager in September 2016. I've enjoyed every single one of them. The build-ups to them are always great.

"There's always pressure of some sort. I hear the talk about a 'dead rubber'. There is never a Rangers-Celtic game that's a dead rubber - not in my book.

"You want to win every game and you want to perform at the very best level. For me, I love the occasion, I love the game - it's an iconic game and one that I always want to win."