Friday 27 October 2017 17:37, UK
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says he is disappointed for his former Old Firm counterpart Pedro Caixinha, who was sacked as manager of Rangers on Thursday.
Rangers missed a late penalty, had a man sent off and conceded a stoppage-time equaliser as Kilmarnock came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw at Ibrox on Thursday.
Caixinha only signed a three-year deal with Rangers in March but was sacked by the club following the costly draw with Kilmarnock, with Rangers languishing in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership.
Rodgers, however, believes Caixinha should have been given more time to prove himself in Glasgow.
"I'm disappointed for Pedro. From my chats with him I knew how much the job meant to him and how much he wanted to do well there," said Rodgers.
"It's another demonstration of modern football. Time, you just don't get. You're having to win games and work with players and get them up and running as quick as you possibly can - especially at the big clubs where there is big expectations and pressure to deliver.
"I have empathy for him and his job and I'm sure he will go on and get back into football sooner rather than later."
Celtic moved three points clear at the top of the Premiership table with an emphatic 3-0 win over nearest rivals Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.
After claiming a point against Rangers, Kilmarnock will travel to Celtic Park to face the Hoops on Saturday and Rodgers has been impressed with Steve Clarke's impact at Rugby Park.
"It was only a few years ago that he was managing in the Premier League," said Rodgers. "He had a very good spell with West Brom. Like you do, sometimes you lose your job.
"He went to Reading and did a very good job there - took them to the semi-final of the FA Cup. All of a sudden you lose your job and you're out of the game but there is no doubt about it, he is someone of great quality and a great acquisition for Kilmarnock."
Celtic stretched their unbeaten domestic record to 61 matches with the win over Aberdeen - leaving them one shy of their own European record set by Willie Maley's side of 100 years ago.
The Hoops will equal the record if they avoid defeat at home to Kilmarnock but Rodgers has played down the significance of the landmark.
When asked what his thoughts on the record were, Rodgers replied: "Nothing really. I don't need to build any anticipation into the game because of the record or put any expectancy onto the players because of it.
"It is something we have every game we play. If it happens it is nice but our focus is very much on how we play."
