BRENDAN RODGERS obviously has no concerns about going to Ibrox.

And Celtic veteran Davie Hay is hoping that doesn’t change after the champions and Philippe Clement’s team squared off at the location on Sunday, April 7.

The manager and former player for the team believes that this season’s championship race may pivot on this crucial occasion.

The Govan club travels to play Dundee at Dens Park at midday tomorrow, while the Hoops have the chance to return to the top with a victory over St Johnstone at Parkhead this afternoon.

In a new CQN Exclusive, Hay discusses the interesting countdown to the league campaign with his longtime friend and author Alex Gordon, who co-wrote the icon’s best-selling book, “The Quiet Assassin.”

“Brendan’s record against Rangers is simply phenomenal,” the club legend remarked. In fifteen Glasgow derbies, twelve victories, two ties, and one loss is outstanding by anybody’s standards.

“This will be his seventh game at Ibrox, and he has won six of them so far. Just two months after moving to Leicester City, he suffered his only defeat in Govan in December 2018.

One may argue that Brendan, the “bogey man,” has no Ibrox fears.

“In September, I was at Ibrox with the official Celtic party when Kyogo Furuhashi scored a fantastic goal to seal the victory. The venue was lively, with the customary tribal melodies setting the tone before the start of the match.

“I sat down and cast a quick peek at the Celtic manager who was standing trackside outside the dug-out. I didn’t notice any signs of nervousness.

Brendan seems to be a man made for this kind of fixture. It requires a significant amount of courage, I assure you.

NOT AFRAIDOn the trackside at Ibrox prior to Celtic’s 1-0 victory in September, Brendan Rodgers is pictured.

Hay went on: “Big Jock Stein thrived on these matches and instilled in his players the idea that they shouldn’t even consider themselves intimidated by the environment.”

“I played one of my first games for Celtic there in September 1969. It’s vivid in my memory. At the time, John Greig led the Rangers and was a true warrior for the team. He was clattering opponents like he was fresh out of the no-prisoners-taken school.

“There is no denying that Greigy made opponents more vulnerable, but let me clarify that my former opponent wasn’t a dishonest player.” When he struck you, it was evident that Big Jock had had enough of the Rangers captain having the upper hand in Old Firm matches since his blow rattled your bones and even rattled loose your fillings.

“The manager pulled me aside, discussed my midfield duties for the day, and essentially instructed me to alert Greigy to my presence on the field.

“Although I was just 21 at the time, I understood the gist. I went in hard the first chance I got, won the ball, and I think I played it to Wee Jinky.

“There was another 50-50 a few minutes later, and I dug in to take possession. After landing on his posterior, Greigy appeared to be perplexed by my appearance and was examining me closely.

GREETINGS FROM THE DERBYReferee Tiny Wharton is stunned, and he wants to speak with Davie Hay (No. 10). In September 1969, Jim Brogan and Billy McNeill watch the Hoops triumph 1-0.

“We won 1-0 thanks to a fantastic goal from Harry Hood, and the special atmosphere in this renowned match got off to a terrific start.

“It was a respectable accomplishment, particularly considering that we had to play the last twenty or so minutes with just ten men after Jim Craig was sent out for a collision with Willie Johnston.

“I’m happy to let you know that, in my time as a player and manager at Celtic Park, I never lost a match against Rangers. I understood the significance of these fixtures right away.

The 76-year-old Hay, who is an ambassador for the Celtic club, continued, saying: “Of course, things are different today because away fans are prohibited, which puts more pressure on the players from the visiting team.

“When I reflect on my past, I think of teammates who would have enjoyed playing in such a toxic environment, like Tommy Gemmell, Billy McNeill, Bobby Murdoch, Bertie Auld, and Wee Jimmy Johnstone. For that matter, myself too.

What a chance to intimidate the supporters of your rivals. And in three weeks, Brendan’s boys will have the opportunity to do that.

“I don’t mean to speak poorly of St Johnstone or Livingston, but if Celtic wins those matches and Philippe Clement’s team wins against Dundee and Hibs, then everything will be ideal for my former club, Govan.”

GLOVAN GOE…At Ibrox in September, Kyogo Furuhashi thunders in the winner, with John Souttar and Connor Goldson savoring the moment.

“Brendan and his team would enter the game down by two points, but they would know that if they win, they can exit the stadium as the Premiership leaders.

“I’m not suggesting that with six games remaining, the winner would definitely win, but it would be a huge psychological lift for them.

“Plus, Celtic would play Rangers at home in one of the six games. If they steal three, or even one, from Govan next month, I just could not see them losing that one.

Brendan won’t be trembling in his boots at Ibrox, that much is certain. It’s possible that apprehensive strain was felt by others that day, both on and off the field.

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