Ange Postecoglou: Only ‘small teams’ want to beat some clubs more than others

Celtic boss says his side will be out to prove a point

Ange Postecoglou has warned his Celtic players that only “small teams” want to beat some clubs more than others.

The Hoops boss was speaking ahead of his side’s Scottish Premiership clash with Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.

Postecoglou said he expects his players to be up for the challenge, regardless of who they are playing.

“We’re Celtic Football Club,” he said. “We should want to beat every team we play, no matter who they are or where they are in the league.”

“If you’re not up for that, then you’re not at the right club.”

Postecoglou’s comments come after Rangers boss Michael Beale said he believes Celtic are the only team his players want to beat more than others.

“I think it’s a natural thing,” Beale said. “When you’re a big club, you have a lot of history and tradition, and you’re always going to have that rivalry with other big clubs.”

“But I think it’s important to remember that every game is important, and we need to be focused on winning every game, no matter who we’re playing.”

It remains to be seen whether Postecoglou’s words will have the desired effect on his players.

But there is no doubt that Celtic will need to be at their best if they are to beat Rangers on Sunday.

The Ibrox club are unbeaten in their last 19 games in all competitions, and they will be looking to extend that run on Sunday.

Celtic, meanwhile, have won their last three games, and they will be hoping to make it four in a row on Sunday.

The match is sure to be a close and competitive one, and it could have a significant bearing on the title race.