Brendan Rodgers has stayed true to one principle throughout the season—every match on the horizon is the most important one. His approach has been unwavering, regardless of the magnitude of the opposition or the stakes involved. Even when Celtic were gearing up to face European heavyweights Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Rodgers remained laser-focused on their prior domestic league game against Dundee United. His consistent prioritization of each game as it comes is a testament to his leadership and the culture he’s building at Celtic.
A similar mindset was evident again during a critical moment in the campaign. Before Celtic’s decisive Champions League group-stage match against Young Boys, the focus was solely on overcoming Kilmarnock in the Premiership. With the league title race tight and the pressure mounting, Rodgers made it clear that preserving Celtic’s lead over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership was just as vital as any continental aspirations. His pragmatic philosophy of tackling one fixture at a time underscores his belief in momentum and preparation, two cornerstones of a successful season.
So, as Celtic gear up for their Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone, a fixture that could pave the way to another treble, it was somewhat perplexing to hear Rodgers being asked about a match against Rangers that’s still weeks away. In a press conference meant to preview a potentially historic showdown at Hampden Park, the focus drifted to a hypothetical scenario involving a Rangers guard of honour—an issue completely detached from the immediate task at hand. Such a question seemed to miss the moment, and Rodgers didn’t hesitate to point that out.
Clearly bemused, Rodgers dismissed the question with a calm but telling response. “When do we play Rangers? A couple of weeks? Right, there’s enough time for that,” he said, shaking his head. “So, I’m just focused on St Johnstone and that’s the big focus.” His measured reaction highlighted the absurdity of getting ahead of schedule in a season where every game has implications. Rather than entertain the speculation, he chose to reinforce his and the team’s focus on the job immediately in front of them.
And rightly so. With the next two fixtures carrying immense significance—St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup and Dundee United in the Premiership—Rodgers has every reason to ignore distractions. These games hold the potential to define the season, with a league title and another domestic treble within reach. While the Glasgow Derby against Rangers will eventually take center stage, it currently pales in comparison to what’s at stake in the coming days. Rodgers understands that championships are won by staying grounded—and that’s exactly what he and his squad are doing.