Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Steven Naismith brands Celtic title chance 'irrelevant' with Hearts' focus on results and Europe

Steven Naismith has branded Celtic's potential Tynecastle title party as 'irrelevant'.

Ange Postecoglou and his Hoops visit the capital this coming weekend with the chance to secure the Scottish Premiership title for the second successive season. They've already bagged the League Cup earlier this campaign and are through to the Scottish Cup Final following victory over Rangers at Hampden at the weekend.

Hearts are still in the fight for third spot and trail Aberdeen by five points going into the final five games. Interim boss Naismith says his team are only focused on themselves and what they can achieve in the final run-in and not what Celtic are doing. He has challenged his team to cause the visitors problems and try and land all three points.

READ MORE: Inverness ticket allocation for Celtic 'detailed' with Hoops receiving bulk of tickets for Hampden

He told Sky Sports: "Celtic have been the strongest team in Scotland consistently for two years now.

"They play with aggressiveness, they play with a lot of intensity, speed and tempo. But we've got the cause them problems, if not it becomes a long afternoon. It's an opportunity for us to go and try and get three points because at this business end of the season that's all that matters. We need to win games of football to try and finish as high as we can."

Asked if delaying the title party forms any part of his team talk, he added: "No. Celtic have been the best team over the season, they'll want to win the league.

"Our mindset is about us and what we can do. We've got games from now and the end of the season to try and get in the European places. That's got be our focus. Whether Celtic win the league or not is irrelevant to us."

READ NEXT:

- Chris Sutton slams 'overweight' Alfredo Morelos as Celtic hero brands Rangers man 'absolute disgrace'

- Cameron Carter-Vickers Celtic break confirmed by Ange Postecoglou as Alistair Johnson update given

- Celtic player ratings vs Rangers as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota shine in Scottish Cup win

- Chris Sutton in 'real' Rangers troll after Celtic come out on top in Hampden Scottish Cup semi final

- Jota the hero as Celtic pip Rangers to narrow victory in intense Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.