Celtic fans might be celebrating Brendan Rodgers’ minor SFA win at Hampden – and they may well be joined by Rangers boss Philippe Clement.
The Parkhead manager has been handed a two-match suspension for flagrantly breaching the SFA’s rules when it comes to comments about refereeing decisions.
Rodgers had branded the VAR team “incompetent”, cheaply singling out John Beaton after his team blew a golden chance to reclaim the title advantage in a defeat to Hearts.
Now, a suspension beckons for the Celtic manager but with that trip to Ibrox to face Rangers firmly in sight, both sides of the Old Firm are set to have managerial representation next week.
Brendan Rodgers escapes Old Firm ban
Firstly, anything but punishment for Brendan Rodgers would’ve been a monumental embarrassment for the SFA.
The comments were unacceptable and a clear breach of the rules, specifically those which protect officials from being branded “incompetent”.
But it just so happens the Parkhead side – backed by high-profile lawyer Nick De Marco – have managed to steer their under-fire boss away from a touchline ban against Rangers.
That’s right, despite receiving a two-match ban for the comments, Brendan Rodgers will only serve one match due to the other game ban being suspended for a year.
What this means is that Brendan Rodgers will miss Celtic’s trip to Livingston this weekend but – unless he breaches the rules again between now and next week – he won’t miss the trip to Rangers.
It’s got the Parkhead support celebrating a minor victory, but something tells us Rangers manager Philippe Clement will be happy the chips have fallen as they are.
Philippe Clement has unfinished Rangers business v Celtic
After the last Old Firm derby back in December, Rangers fans were busy bookmarking comments from Brendan Rodgers when it came to Philippe Clement.
Suggesting that he had just swatted the Belgian boss away – the fifth manager who’d apparently crumbled due to the weight of Rodgers’ arrogant managerial excellent – these were comments that really stuck out.
For a man who routinely tries to position himself as the figure of calm, the soundbites suggested the Celtic boss had been rattled by the big Belgian who has went on to take the ascendancy in the league.
Never mind the fact Celtic are a point clear now, Rangers have a game in hand and are entering this final furlong with the advantage.
When Celtic roll into town next weekend, Rangers boss Philippe Clement will be fundamentally focused on getting a big result in the marathon of a league season.
But should the Gers dump their Old Firm rivals to take a massive step towards 56, something tells us he’d enjoy it more seeing the whites of his Celtic rival’s eyes.
