Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is positive that Saturday’s derby at home to Rangers will not be an easy 90 minutes for the Bhoys.
Postecoglou’s side blew Rangers away the last time they visited Celtic Park. Goals from Liel Abada, Jota and David Turnbull ensured the home side won by a 4-0 margin. It was an all-out party for supporters and a very comfortable victory.
However, since Michael Beale arrived to take charge of our rivals, derby games have been tight affairs. And that’s the sort of encounter the Celtic boss reckons is most likely tomorrow lunchtime.
Postecoglou not shying away from Rangers test
He said today [Celtic FC]: “We’re expecting a tough game. They’re a very good side and it’s a big game and, in all big games, there is always there a bit of an edge to them. You know that both teams are going to have their moments.
“I don’t think it’s going to be any different tomorrow and we’re looking forward to it. These are the games particularly at home with all our support there, it should be a cracking atmosphere and the players and everyone involved are looking forward to the contest.”
Earlier, Postecoglou had told Sky Sports: “We’ve obviously had a couple of games at Celtic Park where we’ve done really well against Rangers, but all the other games have been fairly tight. I think since Michael’s taken over you can see there’s a real sort of confidence now and belief because of the results they’ve had, which have been excellent.
“In terms of the team, there haven’t been too many changes. He’s made some adjustments to the way they play but for the most part it is the same personnel. In these big games there’s always a bit of an edge to them, so we’ve just got to be ready.”
There’s no complacency in the Celtic camp despite a cup final win over them and a nine-point lead at the top of the table. That would be folly, especially given they have strung together good domestic form behind us.
Only a fully committed and hard-working performance will do. And even then there could be some difficult spells of the match.
Thankfully this team have shown us, more often than not, they can find a way to win on these big occasions – so our fans are right to have a degree of confidence. The players too know that if they enact their game plan then victory will be within reach.
Not long now.
In other news, Full Celtic team news vs Rangers as Postecoglou says Reo Hatate “tried really hard”.
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