Celtic's O'Neill Confident Hibs Fans Won't Sway Crucial Match
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill addresses Hibernian fan sentiment ahead of Sunday's crucial Scottish Premiership clash, asserting it won't impact his team's pursuit of league leaders Hearts. Get the full scoop on Celtic's title push.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has stated that the sentiment of Hibernian supporters regarding the Scottish Premiership title race will not affect his team's crucial match against Hibs on Sunday. The Hoops are currently three points behind league leaders Hearts and aim to draw level with a victory at Easter Road. O'Neill's comments come amidst speculation about Hibs fans potentially wanting their Edinburgh rivals, Hearts, to lose the league.
"I can maybe understand that, that maybe some Hibs fans wouldn't want Hearts to win the league but that won't cross over, one to the team selection, two to the coaching staff," O'Neill explained. He humorously added, "If I could call upon some Hibs fans to refrain from that, that would help." The Celtic boss also acknowledged that similar rivalries exist, noting, "some Celtic fans might not want our closest rivals... to win the league as well too."
The defending champions, Celtic, are in a tight race at the top of the Scottish Premiership. A win against Hibernian would see them draw level on points with Hearts, who currently hold a three-point lead. Following Celtic's Sunday fixture, Rangers are set to visit Hearts on Monday, adding another layer of intrigue to the weekend's results and the overall league standings.
Celtic successfully applied pressure on the top two last weekend by securing a home victory against Falkirk. This result, combined with Rangers' loss to Motherwell at Ibrox and Hearts' win over Hibs at Easter Road, has set the stage for a tense run-in. O'Neill emphasized the importance of winning, stating, "It's only an advantage if you win. We were able to overcome Falkirk, which was great."
When asked about monitoring Monday's Hearts versus Rangers game, O'Neill confirmed his keen interest. "I'm glued to it, don't you worry, I'll be there," he remarked. Despite the rivalry, he remained coy about who he would be supporting, adding, "If you're asking who I'll be cheering on, I've no idea. Of course, I'll be watching because we have to play those teams."
In team news, right-back Alistair Johnston, who has been sidelined for most of the season due to hamstring issues, has completed a full week of training. The Canada international made a return from the bench against Falkirk, providing an encouraging boost for Celtic. O'Neill confirmed the positive update, stating, "That's encouraging. We're pretty good. We're OK, nothing new."