Rodgers urges Celtic and Rangers to restore pride in Scotland

In spite of recent wars between the two sides over ticket allocations for the next Old Firm derby, Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the rivals still share one key common target this season. 

Both Celtic and Rangers will be hoping to bolster the fallen reputation of Scottish football by qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League before the end of the year. 

Celtic's fate in the competition is still in their own hands; they need only win their last two games to secure their place in the next round. Alternatively, if they win one and Red Bull Salzburg beat namesakes Leipzig, a home draw on the final day will be enough to go through. 

Likewise, Rangers also have a strong chance to win through to the last 16; they face a crunch clash with Villareal at Ibrox on Thursday, before travelling to Austria to face Rapid Vienna. 

'Hoops' boss Rodgers spoke about the Glasgow giants European progress in his pre-match press conference this week.

He said: "Of course, the European game is becoming very difficult for countries like ourselves. So if the likes of ourselves and Rangers can get through, it would be great for the nation, for both clubs, that's what we want.  It's still very much our ambition and I hope we can do that. You look after yourselves and your own club, but for the bigger picture - which is important for our football - it's great if we can get as many teams as possible into European games.' 

Thursday's trip to Austria has been marred by a possible clash with opponents Salzburg and Leipzig, who under the same ownership, are rumoured to be orchestrating  a stitch up. 

Yet Rodgers has insisted that the message to his players ahead of the game, is that they must put their sole focus on the football, rather than off field matters. 

Rodgers added: "You can't afford to worry about what's going on in the other game. You've got too much to focus on with your own game and our purpose is very clear going into the game. We want to win and we have to take care of that side of it."