Martin O'Neill has stated that Hibernian fans' feelings toward rivals Hearts will not influence the outcome of Celtic's trip to Edinburgh. Per STV News, O'Neill noted that while some supporters might prefer Celtic to win to prevent Hearts from clinching the league title, the players remain professional.
Hibernian currently occupy seventh place in the Scottish Premiership, according to the official SPFL standings. Celtic lead the table by three points as the title race enters its final stages. O'Neill told Sky Sports that Easter Road is historically a difficult venue for the Glasgow club, regardless of the wider league context.
The former Celtic manager suggested that professional athletes rarely consider external rivalries once a match begins. He expects the Hibernian squad to focus on their own pursuit of points rather than the impact on the title race. Hearts remain in contention for their first top-flight title since 1960, trailing the leaders as the post-split fixtures continue across Scotland.
