Sawt Falasteen - Celtic's O'Neill expects no let-up from Hibs despite fans' feelings

With just four rounds of Scottish Premiership fixtures remaining, Hibs' Edinburgh rivals Hearts top the table, three points ahead of defending champions Celtic and four in front of Rangers, who travel to Tynecastle on Monday.

Hibs are in fifth place with a European spot to fight for but many supporters do not want to give Hearts any assistance in being crowned champions of Scotland for the first time since 1960 by taking points from Celtic.

"Actually, I can maybe understand that maybe some Hibs fans wouldn't want Hearts to win the league," Celtic interim manager O'Neill told reporters on Friday.

"But that won't cross over to their team selection and the coaching staff -- absolutely not -- and to the players.

"In fact, I think they would be more invigorated by news of that -- so if I could call upon some Hibs fans to refrain from that, that would help.

"But I get it. I understand that."

The veteran Northern Irish boss added: "(It's) a really difficult task for us.

"They beat us at Celtic Park as well too, so I'm sure they'll want to complete a double over us in that sense.

"A big game for us, a really, really big game."

O'Neill insists playing earlier in the weekend than their two title rivals is "only an advantage if you win".

"Last week we were able to overcome Falkirk which was great in that sense, and so there is a sense as well that you've done that job for the weekend and then you just sit back," he said.

"So mostly up until the Falkirk game, we've been the one that's been playing afterwards and trying to catch up.

"I think after we lost (2-0 against Dundee United) at Tannadice, we were a good distance (five points) behind.

"But it's only an advantage if you can win so that's all we can do."

V.Said--SF-PST