‘Infantile’ – Keith Jackson tears into Clement for Celtic ‘Spat’ ahead of Rangers Old Firm clash

Keith Jackson has branded Rangers manager Philippe Clement’s response to Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers “infantile” ahead of the Old Firm derby.

The Gers make the trip across Glasgow to face the Hoops on Saturday (11 May) as they look to move level on points at the top of the table, but Rodgers has insisted that his team are just looking to have some fun.

Those comments irked Clement who labelled those comments disrespectful following the Light Blues’ win over Kilmarnock and Daily Record journalist Jackson has described the reply as “unnecessary and manufactured”.

Writing for the Daily Record (7 May) he said: “Clement came across as being strangely prickly when he made a point of responding to Rodgers’ words without the need for any prompting following his own side’s 4-1 win over Kilmarnock 24 hours later.

“The Belgian went on to insist his counterpart was being purposefully disrespectful and it did all feel a little bit unnecessary and manufactured – bordering on infantile.

“But the whole curious spat is more than just a storm in a teacup where this age-old rivalry is concerned – it’s also indicative of the way both of these men are about to approach what lies ahead in the coming days and weeks.”

Will Rangers beat Celtic at Parkhead and lift the Scottish Premiership title under Philippe Clement?

The Old Firm derby never needs an extra bit of needle, but the comments from Rodgers and Clement in the lead-up to Saturday’s crucial game have ensured that this will be a proper showdown.

Rodgers was quite obviously trying to play down the significance of the fixture and get in the head of the Gers’ dressing room and although the Belgian will argue he isn’t worried about the Northern Irishman’s comments, he has quite clearly been slightly rattled.

That is understandable when there is so much riding on this single game. If the Light Blues claim all three points at Parkhead, the Gers could do the impossible and claw their way back into the Premiership title race.

With a few press conferences to go between now and kick-off on Saturday, the war of words won’t have finished yet. This is set up to be one of the most exciting Glasgow derbies in recent memory.