Ange Postecoglou is adamant a New Year showdown with Rangers won't cross Celtic's radar until they've dealt with Hibs.
The Premiership leaders travel to Easter Road on Wednesday bidding to maintain a nine-point advantage over their city rivals before visiting Ibrox on January 2.
Anticipation is building ahead of a first meeting between Postecoglou and new Rangers manager Michael Beale, but the Celtic manager is demanding full focus on a tricky test in Edinburgh beforehand.
His side were held to a goalless draw on their last outing in Leith and the 57-year-old is taking nothing for granted.
“You can’t (look ahead) because, if you don’t have the right performance and result against Hibs, then what does it matter what the game after is?
“You are going to be disappointed, so, like I said last week, our focus is on what is next. What is next for us is to get ready for a tough game in Edinburgh against a good opponent and making sure that we continue our good form.”
Hibs arrested a miserable run of form in beating 10-man Livingston 4-0 at the weekend, and the Celtic manager expects a stern test for his in-form side.
A 6-1 drubbing was Lee Johnson's reward for taking an expansive approach at Celtic Park earlier this season, but Postecoglou expects his philosophy will eventually pay off with time and transfer windows.
“I think it will be a tough game," he said. "We played there last season, it was a draw and it was a tough game for us.
“It’ll be the same. It’s a good stadium, there will be a big crowd, it’s a good stadium, so you know it is going to be a bit edgy.
“You can see what Lee Johnson is trying to do. He trying to get the team to play a certain way and he probably doesn’t have the personnel at the moment that needs to do that.
“But he’s sticking to it and, with a couple of more windows, I think you’ll see more and more what he is trying to do.
“They definitely have some attacking threats, especially with Kevin Nisbet back as well. For us, it is going to be a really good challenge. Again, what’s really important is what we do.
“If we keep playing our football, keep improving, be as strong as we can be, we know we are tough to beat.”
