MARTIN O’NEILL is hoping for a capital performance from Celtic against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday in an effort to go joint top of the Premiership alongside leaders Hears.
Derek McInnes’ side have to wait 24 hours before they go into action against Danny Rohl’s Ibrox club at Tynecastle at 5.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Hoops’ interim boss has emphasised the urgency for his players to be at their best after losing to the Edinburgh club 2-1 at Parkhead in February.
The champions were hit by a classic sucker-punch late in the game when David Gray’s side broke away and netted the points-clincher.
The hosts were already down to 10 men after the controversial red card for Auston Trusty following an intervention by VAR.
Looking ahead to the match with just four league games to go before the conclusion of a turbulent Premiership campaign, O’Neill said: “It’s a really difficult task for us.
“They beat us at Celtic Park, so I’m sure they’ll want to complete the double. Obviously, it’s a really big game for us.
“Playing first is only an advantage if you win and that’s all we can do. Mostly, up until the Falkirk game, we’ve been the ones who’ve been playing afterwards and trying to catch up.”
The Hoops have recovered well from the dismal 2-0 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice in March, picking up a maximum nine points from three league outings.
They have overcome Dundee (2-1), St Mirren (1-0) and Falkirk (3-1) as well as booking a place in the Scottish Cup Final against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline at Hampden on May 23 after a dramatic 6-2 extra-time triumph over the Paisley club.
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “There’s still a distance to go, but we’ve fought back.
“We got the late goal at Dens Park from Kelechi Iheanacho, which was big, we beat St Mirren and we followed it up after the Cup game by beating Falkirk.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re still there fighting, with a chance.”
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