ANGE POSTECOGLOU says that the Celtic players won’t allow the pressure of being chased at the top of the table by Rangers get to them, as they continue to blank out what the Ibrox side are doing.
Celtic have been leading the way in the Premiership since defeating their city rivals at Celtic Park at the beginning of February, and Postecoglou doesn’t think that having Rangers now hunting them down has changed the dynamic for his players.
Instead, he has backed his men to concentrate on taking care of their own business, an approach that has allowed them to maintain their focus – and their lead at the top of the table – thus far.
When asked if being in first place had made a difference in the title race, Postecoglou said: “Not to us. If we were thinking that way before we would have probably succumbed to the pressure.
“If we were worried about the outcome of another result or our position in terms of being points behind then you kind of get derailed from having a clear focus.
“Whether we are playing on a Saturday or a Sunday, or what that does to the table, what we know is if we win our game of football, we will be in a good spot no matter what happens anywhere else.
“That’s all we can concentrate on.”
The Celtic manager was also dismissive of any notion that Rangers still having the distraction of the Europa League could potentially work in his own team’s favour on the domestic scene.
“I’ve got enough things to worry about mate without worrying about other teams’ issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, Postecoglou isn’t yet prepared to give a timeline on a possible return to action for star striker Kyogo, with a sighting of the forward at training in Lennoxtown yesterday sparking rumours he could be set for a quicker comeback than had been expected from his hamstring injury.
“He’ been injured mate, he wasn’t kidnapped!” he said.
“He’s been here every day. He’s fine. He’s working towards it. I don’t want to put timelines on it but you look at Davie Turnbull, he was injured three or four weeks before and they are running similar sort of rehabs.
“He’s working hard and doing well. Hopefully he’ll be back soon.
“The international break gives him a chance to do some more work as well.”
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