BRENDAN Rodgers was adamant the outcome of Celtic’s first match of the new season against Rangers this weekend would be of no greater significance than the result of any other game against their city rivals or, for that matter, top flight opponents yesterday.

“It’s a long season and it’s still very early on,” he said ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership fixture at Parkhead tomorrow lunchtime. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Rangers, Aberdeen or Hibs, we want to do our best. Our aim is just to get three points.”

Yet, Rodgers will, with the Ibrox club on a high due to the appointment of his former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as manager and the encouraging form they have displayed at home and abroad since, be well aware privately of the huge psychological importance of victory this weekend.

The resounding 5-1 triumph his Celtic side recorded in his first Old Firm game two years ago very much set the tone for their meetings with Rangers both that term and since.

A positive result for the Ibrox club, who have gone 12 games unbeaten so far this term, could have exactly the same impact on them and will certainly lead to suggestions that the balance of power in Scottish football is shifting.

“Whenever you play your rivals, it’s always important, especially in the first game, to go and show your intent,” admitted Rodgers.

The games between these two age-old adversaries have always been worth watching, even when Rangers were in disarray and Celtic were the dominant force, and this one will be no different.

But the presence of Rodgers and Gerrard in the respective dugouts will simply add to the intrigue. References to the master and his apprentice have abounded.

The Northern Irishman never had any doubt that former England midfielder would follow him into management when he retired from playing and, what is more, do well when he did so. His immediate success has come as no surprise.

“Rangers have done very well since Steven came in,” he said. “They were obviously planning from the back end of last season with a view to getting a high level of player quality in. You can see that in their performances.

“I always felt this was the route he’d go down. Coaching was something we spoke about during our time there, when he and Kolo (Toure) started their badges. It was clear he was going to go down the management route and it was then a case of when he stepped in.

“He’s made a really good start, which is nice. It can be difficult when you come in to a club, but he’s adapted very well. He’s brought in some good players. It’s good for them to qualify for the Europa League group stages and good for Scotland to have two teams in Europe.”

He continued: “They’ve certainly got better players. Stevie has done well. There’s good organisation, they’ve got that wee bit of spirit that comes with pre-season and doing well in Europe. That will give them confidence.

“They’ve good players. I liked the boy (Scott) Arfield when he was at Burnley. (Connor) Goldson at the back, I liked when I saw him at Brighton. One or two of the others boys in there are good players as well. We’ll find out.

“I said at the beginning of this season that the challenges keep coming onto you. Aberdeen will be better as will Hibs and Hearts. And obviously we expect Rangers, with their investment and Stevie coming in, to be better. But time will tell.”

Gerrard is a veteran of numerous Merseyside derbies as well as myriad Liverpool matches against their fierce rivals Manchester United, but Rodgers, who experienced those games during his time at Anfield as well, believes he will still be struck by the atmosphere and intensity of the Old Firm fixture tomorrow.

“He’ll feel the sense of occasion, that’s for sure,” he said. “Steven is from Merseyside and as a local boy he experienced the whole Liverpool v Everton thing, or the Liverpool and Man Utd thing. But he’ll feel the raw passion. This game is different.

“I’m sure it’s an occasion he’ll really enjoy because it’s wonderful as a coach or manager to go in to these arenas. This is what football’s all about.”

Rodgers envisages the fact there will only be 800 Rangers fans inside Parkhead – a direct response to Celtic having their ticket allocation for Ibrox slashed earlier this summer – will favour his team.

“It will be interesting to see how the games are,” he said. “I didn’t see a lot wrong before with both clubs having that real extra level of support away from home.

“That really makes for the atmosphere when Rangers come to Celtic Park and likewise when we go to Ibrox with our supporters. Our focus is on the pitch, but it will be a great advantage for us having more of our supporters.”

Rodgers has squared up to one of his former players in the dugout before – when Garry Monk took over at Swansea and he was at Liverpool - and enjoyed the experience and is sure the same will be the case tomorrow.

“It’s great to see them do do it,” he said. “Stevie was an iconic player at Liverpool. I came in at 39 towards the beginning of my managerial career and Stevie was towards the end of his time there. But he was brilliant for me in his time there. I look forward to catching up with him.”

Rumours of a rift between Gerrard and Rodgers have abounded since their time at Liverpool, but Rodgers is mystified about their origin. “I’m not sure where it comes from to be honest,” he said. “It’s certainly nothing I’m aware of.”

Whether relations are cordial at the end of what promises to be a fascinating contest both on and off the park tomorrow remains to be seen.