BRENDAN Rodgers tonight stressed that his focus remains firmly on Celtic after the Parkhead club forged nine points clear of their city rivals Rangers at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
The Scottish champions increased their slender goal difference advantage over Aberdeen at the top of the league table with a hard-fought 2-0 triumph over Dundee at Parkhead.
But with the Ibrox club crashing to a 2-1 loss up at Pittodrie, they are now trhee further in front of the team who have been their nearest challengers during the past three seasons.
Rodgers, who revealed he is confident of Adam Idah, Nicolas Kuhn and Callum McGregor all being available for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday, is unconcerned about the position of Philippe Clement’s men.
Asked if he was surprised that Celtic are so far in front of Rangers after 10 games, he said: “Listen, Aberdeen have had a fantastic start. That's a really good result for them. But as I'm sure you can respect, my focus is very much on Celtic.
“Our guys have made a brilliant start also, in terms of how they've been playing and the goals they've been scoring. They are secure defensively in the main and in a really good position in the Champions League.
“But it's still so early. My first marker is after 10 games. And if I look at it after 10 games, then we've made a really good start. Aberdeen are there as well, but there's still such a long way to go.”
Rodgers made six changes to the Celtic side which beat Motherwell 3-0 at Fir Park on Sunday and it took until the second half for his new-look team to wear down Dundee’s stubborn resistance.
But an Alistair Johnston goal and an Arne Engels penalty secured another three points.
“I was pleased,” said the manager. “Obviously, we made changes in the game. It's one of those ones where you can be more comfortable in the game if you get those early goals with two massive chances in that first period of the game.
“And of course, if you can get those against a team that's going to be resolute and defend, then that can open up the game for you. So we didn't quite take the chances. We had other big chances in the game, but I have to be pleased.”
