'I get it' - Martin O’Neill understands why some Hibs fans want to lose to Celtic

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill during a training session at Lennoxtown. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire.

Martin O’Neill can understand why some Hibernian fans want their side to lose to Celtic on Sunday but insists the Hibees management and players will be going all out for three points.

With four William Hill Premiership fixtures remaining, Hibs’ Edinburgh rivals Hearts are top of the table, three points ahead of the Hoops and four ahead 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 a helping hand towards their first title 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,” said Celtic interim boss O’Neill.

“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.

“I’m quite sure here, something similar, some Celtic fans might not want our closest rivals, in terms of not too far away, to win the league as well too, so I don’t know.

“But no need to say it, 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”.

The Northern Irishman added: “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.

“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.” O’Neill revealed no new injuries said right-back Alistair Johnston, who came off the bench in the 3-1 win against Falkirk last week after a long lay-off, has had a full week’s training.