Postecoglou ready to embrace the unique nature of Old Firm triple header
ANGE POSTECOGLOU insists Celtic are relishing the prospect of three unique clashes with Rangers after the international break.
Next due to play at Ibrox in a fortnight’s time, Postecoglou is confident his Premiership leaders are in better shape than when they lost there by a 1-0 scoreline last August.
April will also see the sides play each other in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Easter Sunday and there will also be a final league derby played at Parkhead after the split.
Each league game will be played in front of a partisan home crowd, while there will be an even split of tickets for the cup game.
Three very distinct atmospheres await and
Postecoglou insists that is already exciting him.
‘I think everyone is looking forward to that,’ he said. ‘You want to be involved in these big games, particularly when there is meaning behind each one.
‘You always want to do well in the derby games — but sometimes if it’s a dead rubber and there is nothing on the end of it, it can take a little bit away from it.
‘There will be big consequences on all these games and that’s what you want. You want to be playing in front of big crowds, both friendly and hostile, knowing that everything is on the line.
‘That’s why we love this game and why we want to be involved.’
Their lead extended at the top of the table by yesterday’s win over Ross County, Celtic have exerted a little extra pressure on to Rangers ahead of their visit to Dundee today.
The midday kick-off represents a quick turnaround for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team after their Europa League exertions in Belgrade on Thursday night.
Advancement to the Europa League’s quarter-final stage means there will be at least two more additional fixtures for Rangers to handle, but Postecoglou refuses to factor in any potential advantage as the teams prepare to head down the final straight.
‘What has been important during this whole process is making sure I don’t get derailed or distracted from what is really important,’ he said. ‘The things we can control happen behind these four walls. If we play our football and do it well, we don’t have to worry about anyone else or hope or wish for anything.
‘I stopped hoping and wishing when I got out of primary school. It’s about making sure that we are planning to be successful, working hard and not being distracted by the things that others do.
‘The group has proven for a long time now that they are really resilient.
‘What the cup win did for us was give us a real impetus and give these players an appetite for more. Hopefully, we can get an opportunity to win some more silverware.’
With around half of Postecoglou’s squad
absent on a international duty, the Australian will use the next fortnight to rest the likes of Joe Hart and Cameron Carter-Vickers. He simply hopes the rest return unscathed.
‘The challenge for some of our lads is the travel,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘When they return we need to give them the chance to recover.
‘I think international football is good for our players. They get a lot out of it, they come back feeling better and more confident about themselves.
‘And it’s good they get away from the daily rituals we have here, it freshens things up for them.’
One player embarking on his first international assignment is Matt O’Riley, who has been called up to the Danish
Under-21 squad. The midfielder is relishing the chance to represent his mother’s home country and intends to bring a special guest back to Glasgow for an extended stay.
‘My grandma is going to come home with me on the flight back and stay in my apartment here in Glasgow for a little while,’ said the former MK Dons man. ‘She wants to come and see me play for Celtic and see the stadium and city, which is great.
‘She has been watching every Celtic game since I signed, sitting in her little apartment just outside Copenhagen making sure that she gets online to see the matches.
‘I wouldn’t put it past her to try to sneak into Ibrox for that game against Rangers either! She is definitely wanting a ticket for Hampden, too — she’s a superfan.’