PRESUMABLY not even Rangers genuinely believe they will compete for the Ladbrokes Premiership title this season. In truth, the Ibrox club will do well even to finish as runners-up.

Perhaps, then, there was an element of mischief-making or mind games from Brendan Rodgers when he insisted ahead of the first Old Firm derby of the season that Rangers will have their sights set on depriving Celtic of the championship this year.

Rodgers’ logic stemmed from the fact that his opposite number Pedro Caixinha has reportedly spent more this summer in bringing in seven players for money than Celtic did in recruiting their three permanent new arrivals. Given the Northern Irishman also never throws out a line without thinking about it first, there may also have been a subtle message to his own board within that, too.

Few will have Rangers favourites to win on Saturday, even though they are at home. Celtic’s last visit to Ibrox saw them run out 5-1 winners and, while Rangers approach this one in far better shape than they were back in April, it would count as an upset were the visitors not to emerge with a victory. Rodgers, though, believes this is a Rangers side built to contest the title.

“I’ve seen a little bit of Rangers,” said the Celtic manager. “Pedro obviously came in during the season and was able to assess and look at different methods in which they can try to work and play.

“They have clearly spent money in the summer. They spent more money than us – and we are a Champions League club. So that tells you that their idea is to win the league. It’s not to finish third. Not to finish second above Aberdeen. It’s to win the league.

“They have come into the season with that mentality. They have signed some good players and are playing a basic shape in terms of 4-4-2, nothing complicated, get the ball wide, crosses in the box. I’m sure they will be reasonably happy with how they have started.”

Deploying that formation has tended to be seen as a largely British affectation – as memorably demonstrated by the fictional England manager Mike Bassett’s determination to play “four-four-f*****g-two in the eponymous movie – making it something of a surprise that a Portuguese like Caixinha should also rely on it. Rodgers, though, believes Rangers won’t necessary stick only to Plan A.

“A lot of the European coaches will have different ways,” he said. “I’m not sure 4-4-2 is what Pedro would purely like to play. I think he is looking at what he’s got and how he can maximise what he gets from the players. I always respect every opponent.

“[In the last game] they played with a diamond, looking to have numbers in midfield and two front players. It’s flatter now in terms of how they are playing it. But their intention I’m sure is to win the league and what they have spent I’m sure is a mark of that.”

The Glasgow rivals faced off against each other six times last year, the final two encounters taking place within six days. Having beaten their rivals 2-0 at Hampden in the William Hill Scottish Cup final, Celtic followed it up by scoring five goals at Ibrox for the first time in their history. Seeing the home crowd heading for the exits long before full time made Rodgers aware his team was doing something special.

“I think in terms of personality within the team that was a great week,” he said. “We went into the semi-final and were outstanding – our performance level in every facet was very good.

“At Ibrox the feeling was that we would be under severe pressure from their play and the crowd and there was no way we could go and play like we did in the semi. For the players to go out and handle that side of it, to perform like they did and actually be disappointed we only scored five made the performance outstanding.

“For every manager and player, [seeing a stadium empty] is a feeling that you are working well. You are doing your job if the game is over by 65 or 70 minutes. If you are going to Ibrox and doing that against one of the great rivals and performing at that level, which was key for me, was pretty special.”

Celtic’s main focus this season will be on trying to progress in Europe but Rodgers acknowledges how much the derbies mean to the fan on the street.

“There were six of them last year but the run-up is quite special. You know the significance of the game and the intensity and feeling around them is great. And then of course if you can go and perform in them and win then of course it’s special.’

“For both sets of supporters it’s everything. It really means everything. There is such a historical context to the game so, yes, these games are for the supporters. That’s who you are playing for.”

Celtic also won the first one last season by five goals to one, a result that set the tone for the rest of the domestic campaign.

“The first one is important,” added Rodgers. “But they don’t give you the whole story for the season as you’ve still got at least three other games you’re going to play. I always believe with the way that I work that you will improve as the season goes on. But of course the first one will be good. We’re away from home and we’ll look forward to it.”