CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has said pride is at stake as his side travel to Ibrox this afternoon to face Rangers in the final derby of the season.
The Hoops wrapped up a fourth successive title with a 5-0 victory at Dundee United last week, making today's clash a dead rubber tie on paper with Celtic holding an unassailable 17-point lead.
However, with Rangers having got the better of Celtic in the two most recent meetings between the sides, Rodgers feels it is important to get something from the Ibrox meeting.
"This is a game which is all about pride," the manager told the club website.
Celtic comfortably won the first derby of the season 3-0 at Celtic Park last September but in the League Cup Final in December, the Hoops needed penalties to win after the game ended 3-3.
A month later, Rangers romped to a 3-0 win at Ibrox in the league, while Barry Ferguson's men took all three points at Celtic Park in March after winning 3-2.
Rodgers said his team need to make amends for that loss, which saw them come back from two goals down at half-time only to concede a late Hamza Igamane strike.
'We have to make that right'
"In these games we've been so comfortable, and even though you're pushing — I know what these games mean to supporters and what it means to myself and the club," added Rodgers.
"There can just be that little bit in the back of the mind that you're 13 points clear or 16 points clear, so that has taken a fraction of an edge off, which you don't want, but there's maybe a sub-conscious thing there.
"But this is our last game and we're fighting for the pride of our team and also for our supporters because we lost the last game at Ibrox, deservedly so.
"We shouldn't have lost the game at home, but we did, and we have to make that right in the last game."
If Celtic are to claim their first victory at Ibrox since September 2023, they must do so without Jota and Alistair Johnston.
While the Canadian right-back is likely to be back in contention before the end of the season, the Portuguese winger is facing up to nine months out with a knee injury.
Top scorer Daizen Maeda, who has 33 goals this season, was absent from training on Friday, as was Nicolas Kühn, who ended his mini goal drought with a brace against Dundee United.
Meanwhile, Viljami Sinisalo is in line for a derby debut as he continues to deputise for the injured Kasper Schmeichel.
The Ibrox clash kicks off at 12pm BST, with viewers in Ireland and Britain able to catch the action on Sky Sports.
Fans in America can watch the match on CBS Sports Network or Paramount+.
See More: Celtic, Rangers, Scottish Premiership
