ANGE Postecoglou has told his Celtic players to ignore the forthcoming fixtures against Rangers and Real Madrid and focus fully on the Premier Sports Cup match against Ross County.
Excitement is growing among the Parkhead club’s supporters about the cinch Premiership match against their Glasgow rivals on Saturday and the Champions League group stage encounter with the Spanish giants a week tomorrow.
Callum McGregor and his team mates romped to a record-breaking 9-0 triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday to maintain their 100 per cent record in the 2022/23 campaign and return to the top of the league table.
Their fans are hopeful they can forge further ahead of their nearest challengers in the Premiership and defeat the reigning European champions if they can produce a repeat their Tayside display.
However, Postecoglou is only concerned with his charges launching the defence of the League Cup, the first trophy that he lifted in this coountry back in December, with a win in Dingwall tomorrow night and keeping their hopes of landing a treble alive.
The Greek-Australian can recall how it took an injury-time goal from Anthony Ralston to record a narrow 2-1 victory over Malky Mackay’s side at the Global Energy Stadium last year and knows his team will need to be at their very best to triumph.
Asked if the 9-0 rout of United would give Celtic confidence ahead of the Rangers and Real Madrid matches, he said: "I don't look at it like that as we have 50 odd difficult games to come.
"We have one on Wednesday night and that's the only one at the forefront of my mind. Ross County away, as we all know is such a difficult proposition, particularly in midweek and in a cup game. From my perspective, that's where our interest lies.
"We need to get the job done there and play our football and then tackle the next task beyond that. We knew these games were coming and we have worked hard with the full squad to make sure we are ready.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has singled out one Celtic player for special praise following the resounding triumph over United at the weekend – goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The former England internationalist suffered a head knock after making a save from a Glenn Middleton shot in the second minute of the Tannadice match and required six minutes of medical attention before continuing.
He was hardly involved thereafter – but his manager believes he set the tone for the showing early on and ensures the Scottish champions perform at their best in every training session and game due to their professionalism.
Asked how Hart was, he said: "He's fine, he didn't have a lot to do and maybe his performance will be overlooked but he's such a professional and drives the standards every day.
“On Sunday we could maybe have gone a goal down and that may wake you up, but he doesn't allow that to happen. He makes a great save and shows the bravery to dive at the opponent's feet. It's a credit to him.”
