Postecoglou: Celtic will not play for derby draw

Ange Postecoglou insists Celtic will not play for a draw in tomorrow’s title showdown with Rangers at Parkhead because it’s not in his side’s nature.

Celtic hold a six-point lead and 19-plus goal difference advantage over their city rivals at the top of the cinch Premiership as the pair meet in the fourth from last game of the league campaign.

Simply by avoiding defeat in the derby, Celtic would leave Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side with an almighty task to overhaul them in the closing three games.

Postecoglou,inset,canseethe logicforteamsinlimitingexposure to risk in such a situation, but not when it comes to his Celtic side on their own patch.

“You could [play for a draw], but we wouldn’t because that just hasn’t been our approach all year,” said Postecoglou.

“Another club might take a different approach and I’d understand that because a draw would be a positive result with only three games to go. But it just hasn’t been the way we have gone about it this year, it’s just not our nature or the kind of team we want to be.

"Particularlyathome,against any opposition, I can’t imagine there would ever be a scenario where we would ever not go forthreepoints.that’swhatour supporters would expect and it’s our expectation. We know it isgoingtobedifficult,butatthe sametimethereasonwearesitting in the position we are now is because, home and away, we go into every game trying to be the team trying to get three points.”

Following two weeks out with injury, Nir Bitton could be added to the midfield mix in the quest to wrestle back control against Rangers as Celtic have not enjoyed in the teams’ previous two meetings – most notably with the 2-1 extra-time Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at Hampden a fortnight ago.

“He trained on Friday and provided he gets to train on Saturday, he’ll be available,” said Postecoglou.

Meanwhile, the Australian was quick to reference Celtic's 1967 European Cup triumph when asked whether Rangers had shown the way for Scottish clubs in Europe this season.

Celtic exited three European tournaments this season but Postecoglou dismissed suggestions that Rangers had blazed a trail for Scottish football.

When asked whether Rangers' run demonstrated how Scottish clubs can make their mark, he said: "Scottish clubs, including this one, have made their mark in Europe before, I don't think we have learned anything new this year.

"Rangers have done very well and Giovanni has done a great job in getting them to the semi-finals. But if you want evidence of how well Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there's a trophy I can show you just down the road here, mate."

RALSTON FOCUSED, PULLOUT