THE imminent announcement of the post-split fixtures will signal the start of the final lap of the Premiership title marathon.

And, with a Scottish Cup semi-final against Inverness this weekend, the meat in Celtic's sandwich of league games against Kilmarnock tonight and Dundee next Wednesday, the heat is on the Treble-chasing Hoops.

But manager Ronny Deila has invited anyone who is feeling the pressure to consider that the option is watching Coronation Street.

He said: "You have to think what is the opposite to that? Sitting at home in your living room watching TV. I don't think that is so much fun.

"The league is getting closer and closer, and there really is so much to play for. I see that in the eyes of the players."

Deila dismissed the latest attempt by Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes to play mind games by claiming the title race is already over.

But if Celtic can extend their lead to eight points by beating Killie tonight, the finishing line will become much closer for the defending champions.

The matches after the split will be more significant in terms of deciding the Europa League places.

And Deila is happy with his first experience of the much-maligned mechanism employed in this country.

"I think the split looks positive," he said of the top-six/bottom-six separation at this point.

"It's a good finish to the season with a lot of excitement from the bottom to the top. Also, you get the best games at the end of the season. So I think that is a positive thing."

Even more positive would be to lift the crown as quickly as possible, and Deila has asked his players for a big effort over the next week.

He said: "If we can do well in these three games, we will have put ourselves in a very, very good position. I have big belief in my players. They look very sharp and focused."

Deila considers that a pre-requisite and said: "What I'm looking for between now and the end of the season is performances and results.

"We've worked so hard now for so many months to get to this position, and we have to really enjoy it.

"This is a big, big opportunity. We're going into some very important games, and I have real confidence in my players.

"They are working in a good way and the atmosphere is very, very good, as well. Every match we are winning, the closer we get. But still it's way too far to say it is over.

"We always say the next game is the most important. If you win this, everything will be fine. Then, after that game, you say the next is even more important."

Today, that is against Kilmarnock, who have just failed in their bid to be a top-six club.

Deila is wary of any backlash and warned: "They are a team with pace up front, so it is going to be a normal game for us, in that we are controlling the game and having the ball for 60 or 70 per cent of the match.

"They will go for counter-attacks and set plays.So it is going to be very important for us to balance the team and be good in offensive marking and really concentrate."

The biggest league game of all, though, will be the head-to-head with second-placed Aberdeen at Pittodrie in May.

Deila has watched his side win every one of their three meetings with the Dons this season, but makes no attempt to hide his admiration for how hard they have pushed them.

He said: "They are a good team. They win even games, score a lot of goals, and have been consistent. I think they have done a very good job, and have a consistency in what they are doing and have some good players."