It doesn't matter if it's 16 or 60 points clear... This is Celtic v Rangers. You don't want to lose SAYS BRENDAN RODGERS

MEANINGLESS? The word itself could hardly be more pointless when used to describe an Old Firm.

- BY FRASER WILSON

Brendan Rodgers knows it. And never more so when Celtic are heading into the derby looking to avenge a defeat to their greatest rivals. There could be 60 points between the Hoops and Rangers at the top of the Premiership and it would mean EVERYTHING to every supporter. Himself included.

Nobody needs tell the Northern Irishman of the responsibility he and his players carry at Parkhead tomorrow. Not when he lived and breathed the derby as a fan before his first stint as boss and then again in between coming back for a second.

Rodgers knows exactly what is at stake as he looks for revenge on the 3-0 drubbing dished out by Rangers at Ibrox on January - only the second loss of his 21-derby career.

Rodgers said: "For me, it's very straight-forward to paint the nature of this game. It wouldn't matter if we were 16 points clear or 60 points clear. This is Celtic-Rangers. It's not a game you want to lose.

"No matter how far in front you are or how well you've been playing, this is a game that means everything to supporters, to their lives, to their daily life. It means everything to them and especially on the back of our last performance.

"It's what they breathe every single day and you know that responsibility you have as a manager. And the great privilege that we have for every supporter around the world, the Celtic supporter in every corner of the world, the opportunity to give them that real, real good feeling.