Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou moved to quash any notion the result against Rangers will determine how his side approach the rest of the season.
The Australian is primed for his third visit to Ibrox and knows a win will further strengthen his side's pursuit of a second consecutive Scottish Premiership title. Celtic lead Rangers by nine points and boast a superior goal difference ahead of Monday's encounter. But Postecoglou moved to share his crystal clear verdict after being asked what a potential result for Rangers would do for Michael Beale and Co.
Speaking ahead of the January 2 showdown in Govan, he said: "We are not in charge of how Rangers feel. Our job is to keep performing at the levels we have. I think it is really, really irrelevant (the points gap), I know people like to put massive consequences, but if we win and do go 12 points ahead, does that mean we can clock off for the rest of the year and not worry about the games after that? Will our supporters sit down and say 'you know what? Maybe we can miss a fixture now we're 12 points', I don't think so, that's not how it works.
"For us, nothing changes. We have got to be at it on Monday, the same we have been for every game this year and we will continue to be at it, irrespective of the outcome. How that affects other clubs is of no consequence to us. We have been really good at being focused at what's at hand. And what's at hand at the moment is a cracking game on Monday against a strong opponent. It's a fixture which is global, everyone watches, that is where our focus lies."
And Postecoglou once again underlined his belief that one of the world's biggest derbies would benefit from more away supporters in attendance. The reduced numbers remain in place ahead of Monday's encounter.
He added: "I've said in the past with all the great derbies around the world, part of the attraction to them is the colour they bring. I think there's always better colour and atmosphere when you've got more of the away support there. I certainly heard our 700 last year and hopefully we'll hear them this year as well."
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