Celtic boss Postecoglou urges his squad to give fans hope

During

's first Scottish Premiership battle against Dundee on Sunday, there are going to be 24,500 fans present in the stadium.

The bond that players had with fans was unraveled due to the pandemic and Celtic failed to grab their 10th consecutive title and lost to

.

Ange Postecoglou

has had to deal with the lack of some necessary qualities in the squad during their opening three games when they were defeated, but he is now demonstrating his tactics and bringing in players and Joe Hart is going to have his home debut.

Having won 4-2 in the Europa League clash against Jablonec on Thursday has taken some pressure off the players and the club manager wants his squad to harness the power of the returning supporters.

"

Obviously I am super excited to sample that experience but even the players who have been here for a while, they really missed them last year,"

the Australian said.

"I was talking to them and it's such an important part of this football club. The supporters are the soul of this club. When they are not there, it just doesn't feel the same.

"There is no doubt it's an important ingredient when you are playing games at home, the energy the crowd gives you. Playing last week at Hearts, their crowd really gave them some energy and I'm sure that's what the Celtic supporters will give us.

"But we have got to give them some hope and belief as well. It works both ways. If they see the team have a will and desire to play aggressive football and take it to opponents, they will get behind us.

"We have got to get them believing in what we do as well."

During Thursday’s second leg battle against the Czechs, fans will return to Celtic Park.

"Having a full stadium next week is going to be a special night and we have got to give something back and put in a strong performance and give them hope and belief about the season ahead," Postecoglou added.

But the main priority is to earn their first three points of the season after their opening Tynecastle setback.

"

It's important for our league campaign that we get a result because if we are going to have success this year, we have to start winning games on a regular basis,"

Postecoglou said.

"When we stick to our football, in every game we have played in periods when we control the game the way I want to and look really good. We just haven't been able to do it consistently.

"We just have to keep improving our football. The result is important but my gut always tells me that it's the football that will get you there.

"If we want success, we have got to keep improving our football because even if we win on Sunday, if it's not convincing it's still going to show me that we have a way to go."

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