Hibs fan views won't affect Celtic game - O'Neill

Martin O'Neill's Celtic can draw level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday [SNS]

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill can "understand" why some Hibernian supporters may not want Edinburgh rivals Hearts to win the Scottish Premiership, but does not expect such sentiment to affect Sunday's trip to Easter Road.

The defending champions trail leaders Hearts by three points but can go level with victory at Hibs before Rangers visit Hearts on Monday.

"I can maybe understand that, that maybe some Hibs fans wouldn't want Hearts to win the league but that won't cross over, one to the team selection, two to the coaching staff," said O'Neill.

"I think they would be more invigorated by news of that. If I could could call upon some Hibs fans to refrain from that, that would help."

And he added: "I'm quite sure here something similar, some Celtic fans might not want our closest rivals, in terms of not too far away, to win the league as well too, so I don't know."

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O'Neill's side were able to put pressure on the top two last weekend by beating Falkirk at home on Saturday, with Rangers losing at Ibrox to Motherwell on Sunday to slip to third and Hearts beating Hibs at Easter Road.

"It's only an advantage if you win," said O'Neill. "We were able to overcome Falkirk, which was great.

"There is a sense as well that you've done that job for the weekend and then you just sit back.

"So, mostly up until the Falkirk game, we've been the one that's been playing afterwards and trying to catch up."