The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Today is no different from other Old Firm ties says Postecoglou
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou expects today’s clash with Rangers to bear all the usual Old Firm hallmarks despite the title being in the bag already.
The newly-crowned cinch Premiership champions have the chance to go a whole season unbeaten against Rangers and Postecoglou feels their trip to Ibrox presents the chance to give their supporters another memorable moment.
Celtic have beaten their city rivals twice at Hampden this season as well as taking seven points in the league, and Rangers manager Michael Beale is under pressure to get one over on his opposite number for the first time.
Postecoglou, who has a fitness concern over midfielder Aaron Mooy, said: “If we were going there to win it (the title) there would probably be more hype around it so from that perspective it doesn’t feel as intense in terms of the build-up, but I don’t think that will diminish the game itself.
“I still think it will have all the elements you expect in a derby game.
“All these things have context. Our goal every year is to be champions. The last couple of years it gets you into the Champions League and everything that brings with it.
“That’s where the ambitions lie but within that you have these individual contests that you know are important and significant to the club and every derby is that kind of game.
“It’s an opportunity to win against a very good team and the team closest to us in the table, a game that always means something to our supporters.
“It’s an opportunity to create another significant moment for us.”
Meanwhile, Michael Beale challenged Rangers to reach their highest heights in today’s final Old Firm game, which has a 12.30 kick-off.
Beale is looking for a marker win against their city rivals to end the sequence of disappointment and take into the start of next season, where as runners-up the club will go into the Champions League qualifiers.
“In the main I have been pleased,” he said.
“We have had a couple of really sore results and sore days since I have come in but in terms of attitude and commitment, I can’t fault that.
“It is important that we start to show that we can win against opponents of similar level or a higher level than us.
“That’s the challenge for this group, now and in the next four or five months, to prove that in the days when the game is in balance that we have the big moments and in games in Europe where you might see another team’s name and you might think their squad is worth more or what not, that this team stands up and shows it.”