Ange Postecoglou reckons Saturday's Old Firm game requires just the same motivation and desire as any other game this season - especially Real Madrid.
The Celtic boss is gearing up his squad as they welcome Rangers to Parkhead this weekend. But he insists he expects the same from his players every time they step out on the pitch, whether it be in a game against their city rivals or not. The Hoops have got off to a tremendous start this term and will be looking to continue their 100 per cent win record so far, with Gio van Bronckhorst 's side the guests in the first Old Firm of the campaign.
But the Parkhead gaffer isn't placing any particular importance on Saturday's clash and is instead clear that every game campaign requires his players to be at their best. The Aussie it looking for improvement after improvement, believing his side have already stepped up their game in the opening ties of the season. And Saturday simply provides his men with another opportunity to go out and 'play their football', regardless of the outside influences.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "What we've got to do is make sure we've grown into the season. We obviously knew it was a bit of a different start for us, with one game a week, but I think our performances have been getting strong every week. That's what we're looking for tomorrow.
"Improvement in our performance, improvement in the way we do things and play our football to overcome whatever challenge we have tomorrow that gets you three points, and then move on to the next challenge. From out perspective, the incentive is just to keep performing at the levels we have and keep improving on them.
"I certainly don't see it as any more difficult. You understand the impact it has particularly on our supporters in these games, but all that is pretty much irrelevant if you don't play well.
"I've always laid stock in one thing, and that is you get out there and you play your football and try and be the best you can be. All this other stuff tends to take care of itself.
"If you need extra motivation tomorrow than you did on Wednesday night or that you may need on Tuesday night, then you're never going to be successful. Our motivation has to be the same every time we're out there.
"We understand the significance of it to our fans, we understand the significance of it in terms of the league, but that shouldn't mean that we're more motivated tomorrow than we were on Wednesday night and I haven't seen any evidence of that from the players. They treat every game with equal respect and an equal desire to be successful.
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