Danny Rohl responds to McCowan's 'untouchable' claims: 'Celtic have been beat seven or eight times'

Danny Rohl has responded to Luke McCown’s “untouchable” Premiership claim by pointing out that Celtic have been beaten seven times ahead of the crucial Old Firm clash this weekend.

The 28-year-old Hoops midfielder made the declaration after Celtic’s one-nil victory at Stuttgart, the second leg after a 4-1 defeat at home, that “we know if we’re at it, no team in that league touches us.”

Responding ahead of the Old Firm match at Ibrox on Sunday, Rohl highlighted that Rangers’ city rivals have been beaten “seven of eight times” are that “they are behind us”.

“At the moment we are in the second position, and they are behind us”, the German said.

“I think they have seven or eight defeats. In general, it makes no sense to speak too much about the other side. We have to focus on ourselves. We want to win these games; my team is ready to take points.

“We will see on Sunday. I’m confident we have a big chance to win this game.”

McCowan’s first-minute goal earned Celtic a 1-0 victory in the MHP Arena and their first triumph on German soil.

It was not enough to prevent the away side bowing out of the Europa League knockout phase in a 4-2 aggregate defeat.

Rohl admitted he was “surprised” that Celtic didn’t go for it more and said it will be “interesting” to see what happens next with the goalkeeping situation after Kasper Schmeichel was dropped for Viljami Sinisalo.

“I was surprised after one-nil, they didn’t try and win the game two or three-nil, to have a chance.

“They keep the result until the end.”

Rangers face Celtic on Sunday in the first of two derby fixtures in the space of seven days.

It comes after a disappointing drop in points against Livingston last weekend. A 2-2 draw saw the gap to Hearts in first grow again to four points, just a week on from Rangers’ 4-2 win against Derek McInnes’ men.

“We have always shown that we can come back after small setbacks.

“Both teams will be in this fight on Sunday, and both teams know how important this game is.”

Asked about the fitness of Naderi and Sterling, Rohl said: “Both are training; if it’s enough to be in the squad… I have to decide tomorrow. Today I can’t say if they’re in or out. I need to see their reaction to the session.”