O'Neill Calms Hibernian Vs Celtic Angle Ahead of Easter Road
Martin O'Neill says Hibernian fan sentiment over Hearts will not alter Celtic's team selection or coaching staff in hibernian vs celtic at Easter Road on Sunday. Celtic can draw level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts with a win, and O'Neill is already focused on Monday's Hearts v Rangers match.
O'Neill on Easter Road
“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 said ahead of Celtic's trip to Easter Road. He added: “I think they would be more invigorated by news of that. If I could could call upon some Hibs fans to refrain from that, that would help.”
He also drew a parallel with Celtic supporters, saying: “I'm quite sure here something similar, some Celtic fans might not want our closest rivals, in terms of not too far away, to win the league as well too, so I don't know.” The point is simple for Celtic: the noise around Hearts does not change the job in front of them on Sunday.
Hearts, Rangers and Celtic
Celtic trail Hearts by three points before the match at Easter Road. Beating Hibernian would put them level, with Rangers visiting Hearts on Monday and O'Neill saying, “I'm glued to it, don't you worry, I'll be there.”
After Celtic beat Falkirk at home last weekend, he said, “It's only an advantage if you win.” Rangers lost at Ibrox to Motherwell on Sunday, and Hearts beat Hibs at Easter Road last weekend, keeping the top of the table tight entering this round of fixtures.
Alistair Johnston Return
Alistair Johnston has missed most of the season with hamstring issues, but he came off the bench against Falkirk and has had a full week's training. O'Neill called that “That's encouraging,” a useful sign for Celtic as they head into another league game that could leave them level on points with Hearts.
For Celtic, the immediate task is still the same: handle Hibernian first, then watch how Hearts and Rangers shape the title race on Monday. Johnston's return to full training gives O'Neill one more option, but the standings shift only if Celtic do their part at Easter Road.
