Ange Postecoglou insists there is real Rangers respect towards Celtic and guard of honour not needed to prove it

Ange Postecoglou insists he doesn’t need a guard of an honour at Ibrox to know there is real Rangers respect towards Celtic.

Michael Beale revealed the Light Blues players wouldn’t be affording their rivals the tribute despite them crossing the city to their fierce rivals as champions after a win over Hearts last week clinched the Scottish Premiership title for the second season in a row.

Postecoglou described the gesture as more 'symbolic' than anything else and believes there is respect between the bitter footballing foes. The Aussie told Sky Sports: “It’s no big deal for me. Those kind of things seem to be a bit symbolic rather than anything real. Respect is shown in different ways and we don’t need a guard of honour to know that.

“There’s respect between the two sides and certainly between the two sets of players. It might be grudging but they know how hard it is to be successful. Rangers won it two years ago and we have won it the last two years so that respect is there and we don’t need a guard of honour for that.”

Postecoglou expects a tough game despite nothing other than pride at stake and admitted the fact there will be no Hoops legions will be a factor. He said: “It’s still a big game against our rivals, I’m sure our supporters will want us to put on a strong performance and it’s a chance to continue our form for this year and finish the season strongly.

“We’ll put out a team we think will win the game for us but it gives us a chance to look at next year and look at things we want to do and give some guys some game time but against that backdrop we want to win the game and will put a line up we can think can do that.

“Once they’re out there, both sets of players will realise it’s still a game you want to win