ANGE POSTECOGLOU has warned his players they will have “to earn” the win against Hearts on Sunday for the right to be called champions for the second successive season.
The Celtic gaffer also warned his stars that the hosts will not “roll out the red carpet” at Tynecastle as the Hoops go in search of the win that will make sure of the crown with four league games still to play.
Postecoglou’s side are 13 points clear at the Premiership pinnacle and are aiming to get the job done as swiftly as possible.
EYEING UP THE TITLE…Ange Postecoglou gives his views on Sunday’s match against Hearts at Tynecastle to Sky Sports at Lennoxtown today.
Once the 53rd flag in the club’s history is secured, the manager and his squad can turn their attention to sealing a phenomenal treble when they take on Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on Saturday June 3.
The 57-year-old Greek-Australian is aiming to bring down the curtain on his second crusade at Parkhead with a stylish flourish and he said: “Sometimes when it goes to the line and you’re relying on other results, it can get a bit tricky, but we know the outcome is in our hands.
“The process stays the same, but they’re human beings and they know what’s on the line, so it tends to go to them being excited about the prospect of achieving what we’re on the doorstep of doing.
“My words and the way we work are more about making sure that within that context, we want them excited, but understanding that there are some core principles we need to bring to the game.”
Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports, added: “It’s going to be a tough game. With the split, every game has meaning and Hearts aren’t going to roll out the red carpet for us.
“They’re going to try and make it tough for us and it’s the way you want to win it, you want to earn it.”
SMILES BETTER…Anthony Ralston is poised to play against Hearts in Edinburgh at the weekend.
Celtic, of course, will go into the encounter without key pivot Cameron Carter-Vickers who has just undergone successful surgery on a knee problem to make sure he is fit for the next crusade, as CQN reported earlier today.
Japanese left-sided centre-back Yuki Kobayashi is likely to move into the rearguard with Carl Starfelt shifting to his natural right side.
Alistair Johnston, who left the national stadium in crutches on Sunday, will also be a no-show with Anthony Ralston, who came on for the crocked Canadian against the Ibrox side, continuing at right-back.
♥️ 'Hearts won't roll out the red carpet'
🏆 Will have to earn title at Tynecastle
🇺🇸 Carter-Vickers back for start of next seasonWe've been speaking to Ange Postecoglou ahead of Celtic's potential title win at Tynecastle, live on Sky 📺 pic.twitter.com/PuY1M3sqxl
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 5, 2023
