Photo credit: AFP

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has given his high-flying players permission to go out and celebrate on New Year’s Eve, provided they perform in Saturday’s home game against Bournemouth.

Leicester begin 2016 in second place in the Premier League table, level on points with leaders Arsenal, after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

But while Ranieri is happy for his players to celebrate their achievement, he does not want them to go too far.

“They can celebrate. They are very, very good professionals,” the Italian told his pre-game press conference on Thursday.

SEE MORE: Ranieri sees Leicester City as the Premier League’s Forrest Gump

“It’s important to celebrate, to enjoy it, because it was a fantastic 2015, but afterwards we have to put our minds on Bournemouth.

“They are a very dangerous team. Bournemouth lost five in a row, but before losing to Arsenal (2-0 on Monday) they made a fantastic positive run.

“For us it’s important to concentrate 100 percent.”