Ange Postecoglou takes charge of his 100th Celtic game tomorrow night but Robbie Neilson is intent on ruining the party.
The Hearts boss is full of admiration for the job Postecoglou has done in just 18 months with the champions. But that respect will count for nothing as he looks to guide the Jam Tarts to a first victory at Parkhead since 2009. Neilson said: “Ange has done a fantastic job, there's no doubt about that. He's given the team a way of playing and a style of play which is entertaining. He has done exceptionally well. But hopefully we can go there and spoil that celebration.
“Defensively you need to be solid. But you also have to have the belief that when you have the ball you can go and hurt them. When you watch teams that get some success there then they control periods of the game, they pick the right pass at the right time and the right movement. We have to do that. The atmosphere is always electric there and it’s a difficult place to go but it’s one that gives us a chance to challenge ourselves as coaches and also as players.”
Meanwhile Neilson confirmed Hearts sporting director Joe Savage is working on a deal to tie Josh Ginnelly down beyond the summer. The former Preston man is on a rich vein of form and hit a double in Saturday’s 3-0 win over St Johnstone but is a free agent in a few months’ time.
Neilson said: “Joe is dealing with that. We would love to keep him here, it's just a case of getting things sorted out.
“Joe takes the lead on it so we will try to get a deal done. It's the same with Robert Snodgrass as well, the two of them have done exceptionally well for us this year.”
