ANGE POSTECOGLOU has warned of the “tipping point” as he urged Celtic to cement six points in their two games before the World Cup break.
The champions head for Motherwell at Fir Park tomorrow night and bring down the curtain on the first half of the campaign with the visit of Ross County to Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
The soccer showpiece kicks off in Qatar on November 20 when the hosts play Ecuador and the silverware showdown is due for the week before Christmas Day.
BIG HAND…Ange Postecoglou applauds Celtic’s league effort so far this season.
Postecoglou’s side eased seven points clear at the Premiership pinnacle when they came back from a shock equaliser from Dundee United to win 4-2 with late goals from Kyogo Furuhashi on Saturday before Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s under-pressure Ibrox outfit slumped to a 2-1 loss from St Johnstone in Perth the following day.
The Greek-Australian gaffer said: “We kind of knew this period would be critical. We need to finish it off.
“We need to get through the next two games nice and strong. We’ve had a really solid block of games. Champions League results aside, our performances have been really strong through that and our league form’s been excellent.
“My gut tells me it’s probably a good time for the break because we’ve had just so much football in a short space of time.
“As much as the players have got through this period, there’s always a tipping point – not just physically but mentally.”
CRUNCH…Celtic-bound Yuki Kobayashi slides into a tackle.
The Hoops look to have already arranged the January arrival of their fifth J-League recruit in central defender Yuki Kobayashi from Vissel Kobe and the manager insisted the club will remain “alert right up until the window opens”.
Postecoglou, speaking to the BBC, added: “A couple of weeks ago, we sort of did our planning.
“The bulk of the work’s been done.
“What this time gives me is a little bit of opportunity just to plan for the rest of this year and probably the next summer window.”
