Ange Postecoglou: Celtic must be at their 'absolute best' against Inverness

Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou has stressed they need to be at their "absolute best" against Inverness in Saturday's Scottish Cup final after hearing about the history between the clubs of the competition.

Caley Thistle knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup three times in seven appearances this century and the Hoops had to come from behind in two of their triumphs.

Inverness beat Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead as a Premier League side when the sides first met in February 2000 in a result that cost John Barnes his job as manager.

They also beat Martin O'Neill's side in 2003 four days after the Hoops won at Anfield en route to the UEFA Cup final.

Ronny Deila also fell to Caley Thistle in the 2015 semi-finals in a result that cost Celtic the chance of a hat-trick.

When told that some people were anticipating a loss when the Scottish champions face a side that finished fifth in the cinch Championship, Postecoglou told Celtic TV: "People at this club don't talk to me about that, they tell me about the past results against them, which makes you realize that if you're not there that day, you can be beaten and there are consequences for that.

"I can assure you that no one in the building here is going with anything other than the approach that we have to be at our best that day."

Caley Thistle has played just once since winning the semi-finals over Falkirk, losing to Ayr on May 5 in a late defeat that cost him a place in the Premiership play-offs.

"It's a bit weird for them, they won't have played a game for almost a month by the time of the cup final," Postecoglou said. "I'm sure they worked on the outside and had rebounding plays when they could.

"It's a different opponent for us but, regardless, it's a cup final. Who the opponent is becomes secondary to the fact that you know you have to perform today there and if you do, there's a huge reward at the end."