Ange Postecoglou has dismissed any claims of mind games heading into Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final showdown with Hearts.
Both teams met on Wednesday evening on league business and after the game, Robbie Neilson claimed one of his players would need to be “decapitated” before getting a red card in their favour at Celtic Park.
The Tynecastle manager branded the decision not to re-examine Alexandro Bernabei’s challenge on Nathaniel Atkinson a “shambles”, as he hit out at video assistant Nick Walsh and referee Alan Muir.
Some have suggested that Neilson’s comments were aimed to influence officials heading into this weekend's cup clash, but Postecoglou is not having any of it.
“What did I make of it? Nothing, mate,” the Aussie boss explained. “I’ve said a few times, I don’t really care what other managers or other people say.
“It’s got no interest to me. Why would I be invested in what someone else thinks?
“Every manager has the right to analyse or sum up the game in the way they want. I won’t tell people what to say or what to think.
“But it doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is how I see and analyse the game and the feedback I get from the players.
“That’s how we improve and get better. Other people’s opinions on the game are not relevant.”
On the tackle itself, Postecoglou was asked if he felt it was of the "tame" variety. He continued: “Yeah. When I analyse a game I look at what’s important and things I think matter to us.
“Someone making tackle is not really at the forefront of my mind. Everyone knows we have VAR so if someone thinks someone has done something wrong then we find out.
“I don’t know how many games I’ve managed but I’ve never won one with a mind game. I don’t even know what mind games are.
“I don’t buy all that sort of stuff. The game of football has 11 players who start and a few more that come one and you try to win it that way – that’s it.”
Postecoglou also revealed that winger Daizen Maeda is a doubt for today’s Tynecastle fixture after limping off following his goal against Hearts in midweek.
The Japanese international connected with goalkeeper Zander Clark at pace and as a result he was forced off the pitch.
Postecoglou added: “Daizen is the only doubt. He’s improved and trained today with the physios, but he’s probably 50-50.
“He’s been playing really well for quite a while now and he was great the other night.
“It was an important one for him as, while we don’t underestimate him, he showed a lot of courage to score his goal. He knew he’d take a hit but still put it in the back of the net.
“He wants to keep performing but we’ll see how he is. If he doesn’t make it tomorrow he should be okay for next week.”
