Livingston boss David Martindale is convinced his side's exploits in recent seasons has led to champions Celtic showing them an added respect.
The Lions boss masterminded a win and a draw over Celtic last season but the league leaders have been too hot to handle in the their two most recent trips to West Lothian. But Martindale reckons his side's status as bonafide top-six contenders year upon year makes it harder to become shock the best team in the country. And he reckons the respect shown by the Parkhead side takes their own game up a level when they square off.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Livingston boss said: "I think you are going into those games and you are not a surprise anymore. The Celtic team, the Celtic manager, are going into our game in a bit more detail. I think Ange has said he doesn't take any game, any different from another. But I have found Celtic players with a wee bit more intensity, they are giving us a little more respect and by giving us a little bit more respect it's probably adding to their own game. They are putting a lot more detail into the game.
"It's brilliant for the staff and players at the club. It's a difficult job, everyone thinks it's easy sitting in a certain type of shape. I've gone Ibrox, Parkhead and played wingers, 4-3-3 and attacking central midfielders. You fall into a low block because they have that much possession. You only need to look back to the Real Madrid game, the first 60 minutes they had Madrid sitting in a nearly, middle to low block. It shows how dominating they are in games of football. We're more than capable of getting points from these games. We are very competitive and we will go there and have a gameplan and try and take something from the game."
And Martindale was effusive in his praise of the impact Postecoglou has made during his wildly-successful 18 months in Glasgow. The 57-year-old won the title last year and is in prime position to do so again with his side boasting a nine-point advantage over rivals Rangers.
Martindale added: "I think Ange did an incredible job to win the league last year but I think he has kicked on again this year. I look at managers, how do you judge them? You judge them on performances but you also judge them on do they make players better? And I can look at Celtic, hand on heart, and there's not a player in that building he has not improved. I think he has done a fantastic job with them.
"He has got one of the best midfielders in the country in Callum McGregor returning to form, it's going to be a difficult game."
