O'Neill warns Celtic over title complacency

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has warned the club's fans the Scottish Premier League has still to be won.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has warned the club's fans the Scottish Premier League has still to be won.

Following last Sunday's 2-1 win away to Rangers the Parkhead side now have a five point cushion with only four games to play.

And on Saturday they could move eight points clear if they can defeat third placed Hibernian at Celtic Park, with Rangers heading north to take on Aberdeen the following day.

But O'Neill believes there is still work to be done before he can celebrate his fourth title in five years.

The Northern Irishman said: "I am not here to pour cold water over it and it was a great win last weekend. We have given ourselves the chance to make a mistake but nothing has been won.

"Our last two games at Celtic Park have been extraordinary. We've gone behind to Hearts and were unable to claw it back, and we've gone behind to Aberdeen, after having been beaten by them in almost exactly the same circumstances earlier this season, but this time we've been able to turn it around.

"We have two home games ahead, against Hibs who are going for European football, and again against Aberdeen.

"We then face exceptionally difficult away games against Hearts and Motherwell in the last two games of the season.

"So we have a boost of confidence but I don't think anybody, the players included, is looking any further ahead than the game this weekend.

"It's a big, big game. Hibs are in pole position for that European place and other than last game we played at Easter Road, where we won 3-1, the games against them have been quite tight."

Celtic will be without on-loan Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy, who suffered a hamstring injury after scoring what turned out to be the winner at Ibrox on Sunday.

And with Hibs looking to hold on to third place, which brings qualification for the UEFA Cup, Celtic could face a tough fight to take all three points.

Rangers, meanwhile, must realistically win all their games to have any chance of lifting the title, but they face a tricky visit to Pittodrie to take on Aberdeen who are chasing Hibs for the UEFA Cup spot.

The Ibrox side's captain, Dutchman Fernando Ricksen, admits it looks unlikely Rangers will be crowned champions at the end of the season, but he vowed to keep going until it is mathematically impossible.

He said: "I know anything can happen and football can be strange, but Celtic are in a strong position.

"Both teams have games to go against Aberdeen, Hearts, Motherwell and Hibs. All we can do is try to win our games and hope that Celtic slip-up.

"We have a tough trip to Pittodrie on Sunday and it's really important we win and keep going."

Rangers manager Alex McLeish admitted that catching Celtic will be difficult and is already preparing for next season.

"If I can improve the squad over the next few months with the players I want, then I am confident we will get it right next season," he told the Scottish Daily Express.

"I realise we need to take another step up and win the title again.

"If not, then I will hold my hands up and face the consequences. It's going to be a big season for all of us."

However McLeish may pay the immediate consquences with star Croat striker Dado Prso seeking a move way after just one season at the club with Aston Villa a potential destination.

And if McLeish believes that his former side Aberdeen - with whom he won the now defunct Cup Winners Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1983 - will simply roll over on Sunday then he has another thing coming.

The pick of the other fixtures this weekend is undoubtedly the final Dundee derby of the season which could determine which of the city's sides can be assured of SPL survival this season.

Jim Duffy's Dundee enjoy home advantage on Saturday, and are also two points better off than their neighbours.

But United have made a remarkable recovery, since Ian McCall was sacked as manager and caretaker boss Gordon Chisholm took over, and they will be confident of taking all three points to leapfrog their rivals.

A bottom of the table clash between Livingston and Dunfermline at Almondvale will also make interesting viewing with both sides on 28 points, one behind Dundee United.

In the other games on Saturday Hearts welcome Motherwell to Tynecastle and Inverness Caledonian Thistle play host to Kilmarnock.

Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Hibernian, Dundee v Dundee United, Hearts v Motherwell, Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Kilmarnock, Livingston v Dunfermline.

Sunday

Aberdeen v Rangers (1300 GMT)