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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Steven Naismith insists spoiling Celtic title party is 'irrelevant' and WON'T be in his Hearts team talk

Hearts interim boss Steven Naismith insists he won't mention Celtic's potential Tynecastle title party in his pre-match team talk - branding the Hoops title hopes "irrelevant".

Ange Postecoglou needs just one more win to secure back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles with the first opportunity coming in the post-split fixture in the capital, and there is expected to be a party atmosphere in Gorgie for the visiting supporters. However, Naismith insists he is not thinking about the oppositions league position and denting momentum as they push towards a Treble.

He has played down any distractions heading into the game with his focus on catching Aberdeen in third spot and claiming a Europa League spot next term. Asked if delaying the title party forms any part of his team talk before the showdown, the Hearts boss told Sky Sports: "No. I think for us, Celtic have been the best team over the season and they will want to win the league but our mindset is about us.

"We have got games left in the season to try and get in the European places and that has got to be our focus. Whether Celtic win the league or not is irrelevant to us."

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