BRENDAN Rodgers believes Scotland should feel proud of the Glasgow derby match despite the negative aspects of Celtic-Rangers rivalry.
Both Celtic and Rangers have been visited by Police Scotland this week in the build-up to the Hogmanay meeting between the two clubs at Ibrox this afternoon.
The players, coaching staff and managers have been reminded about the need to conduct themselves responsibly ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership game.
The scheduling of the Old Firm match has been condemned by the Scottish Police Federation as “insanity” and by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association as “senseless”.
However, Rodgers is hopeful it will pass off without incident - and confirm its reputation as one of the greatest games in world football.
“It has always been a great game for people throughout the world," he said. "I am sure the worldwide audience for this game will be huge.
“Yes, there is baggage that comes with it, but we are moving into a new era now and a new cycle.
“I don’t need to lecture any supporters, in particular my own, but you want your supporters to be passionate, you want them to make as much noise as they possibly can and be vocal in their support and you want to always make it difficult for the opponent.
“But, irrespective of the result, you move into your normal life again. You move on and you mix together and you live your life together. There is no problem having a Celtic supporter who is passionate about his team and a Rangers supporter who is also passionate about his team.
“That is what you want. But we have to live together and work our lives together. That is what is important.
“This will be a game where both sets of supporters will have big passion for their teams. I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere at Ibrox. They will really get behind their team and that’s the way it should be.
“Our support certainly provide that in every game we play, wherever it is. And after 90 minutes you’ll go away and get on with your life and talk about the game.”
Rodgers, whose Celtic side have won the two previous meetings against Rangers this season, confirmed police representatives had met with his squad.
“It was nothing significant, just reminders of your responsibility and role as a player, a coach, a manager,” he said. “I think that is the normal in these type of games. I don’t think there is anything new.
“As I said, it is a normal preparation so we understand that and respect that. It happened at Swansea Cardiff. It is nothing significant.”
Rodgers stressed he had, unlike his predecessors as Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, encountered no problems since moving to Glasgow in the summer.
“I grew up with it so I know what it means to people and how it really can define a way of life for people,” he said. “These games are huge of course, the significance of them is massive. For everyone involved in them they are big games.
“But it certainly hasn’t interfered with my life and my way of working up here. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.”
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