BRENDAN RODGERS steps onto the Rugby Park rollercoaster again this afternoon when Celtic face Kilmarnock in a must-win league encounter against Kilmarnock.
The Hoops boss squares up to old foe Derek McInnes for the second time this season in the knowledge three points are a priority after Aberdeen’s 4-1 victory over Dundee at Pittodrie last night.
The Dons, decimated by Rodgers’ men 6-0 in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final at Hampden last weekend, are currently occupying pole position in the Premiership, but any sort of triumph for the champions in Ayrshire will return them to their rightful place by dint of superior goal difference.
Rodgers has experienced the highs and lows at Killie’s venue since returning as manager in June last year.
His praiseworthy sequence of 24 domestic Cup wins as Celtic gaffer ended at Rugby Park in the third game of his comeback when the holders toppled 1-0 to make an early exit from the League Cup, sponsored by Viaplay at the time.
DEJECTED IN DECEMBER…Brendan Rodgers looks grim as Celtic lose 2-1 in the league at Rugby Park.
They also lost 2-1 in the league on the ground in December after leading through a Matt O’Riley strike with only 15 minutes to go.
A dreadful own goal by on-loan Liverpool defender Nat Phillips invited the hosts back into the contest and Matty Kennedy finished the job with three minutes remaining.
However, all was well in Paradise on the third visit to perform on the notoriois playing surface on May 15 when the Hoops blitzed Killie 5-0 to claim their third successive title.
And a repeat of that whirlwind performance would be well received by Rodgers and Co this time around.
The Irishman said: “We can’t have any excuse. We talk about plastic pitches and everything else.
“But after how we played at the end of last season, to win 5-0 and play at that level, then I can never moan about a plastic pitch again.
“But our performance was so good. It’s just a bit of focus and concentration.”
Rodgers, speaking to STV, added: “It’s always a tough game against Derek’s teams. When we played them a couple of times in the early part of last season, they were better than us and deserved to win.
MERRY IN MAY…Brendan Rodgers celebrates the 5-0 win over Kilmarnock that sealed the title.
“Once we got to grips with how we were working and our idea and focus in the turn of the year, then when we played, we were in a different place.
“Obviously, come the end of the season, then we were in a really good place.
“I would say now we’re in an even better place. But that doesn’t take away the difficulty of the game. It’s still going to be very difficult. “Derek’s teams are always well organised. They’re always super motivated and they will always challenge you.
“And that’s something we’ll be ready for.
‘The champions were certainly well prepared on Flag Day at the Premiership opener in the east end of Glasgow in August when they blew their opponents away with a devastating 4-0 triumph. Reo Hatate whipped in the Hoops’ first goal of the new campaign and he was joined in the scoring stakes by Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston.
Same again today, please, Celtic!
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Kilmarnock v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
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