Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be desperate for his side to edge closer to title glory by defeating Rangers at Parkhead this weekend.
With three Scottish Premiership matches to go, victory on Saturday would place the reigning champions six points clear with two games to go alongside a superior goal difference to their rivals, which would be an insurmountable lead at the summit.
Even a draw wouldn’t be detrimental for Celtic, who would retain a three-point advantage and a goal differential of five heading into their final two fixtures against Kilmarnock and St Mirren.
Nevertheless, Rodgers will be aware that leaders in the group have to step up against Philippe Clement’s outfit, and the likes of Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Reo Hatate form a triple-axis of pivotal players that have every attribute in their arsenal to drive the Hoops over the line.
In the case of club captain McGregor, the Scotland international has been back from injury for around a month now, though he put in a series of performances that suggested he maybe wasn’t at full tilt after feeling the effects of an Achilles problem.
Last weekend against Heart of Midlothian, the 30-year-old looked back to his best, something former Celtic striker Chris Sutton picked up on over the weekend. The Englishman cited his dominance in the engine room as the perfect tonic for Hatate and Matt O’Riley to thrive.
He stated: “Callum McGregor coming back, when I say coming back, he has played the last month but hasn’t been quite right. But yesterday he seemed to be really at it. Hatate is getting fitter now, O’Riley was back to his best and that Celtic midfield going into next week’s game is looking pretty good again.”
Callum McGregor has handed a ‘massive boost’ to Celtic
Possessing a unique ability to control proceedings in midfield, McGregor coming into full flow at a critical time in the season can only be a positive at Parkhead.
Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, pundit Stephen McGinn believes the skipper being fully fit for our clash against Rangers at Parkhead will provide a ‘massive boost’ for Rodgers.
Meanwhile, the Falkirk midfielder also believes he forms part of an ‘irreplaceable’ trio in the starting line-up alongside Hatate and Carter-Vickers that help to make Celtic a ‘totally different’ outfit.
He explained: “One of the big worries this season has been keeping their key players fit, guys like McGregor, Hatate, Carter-Vickers. When they’re all in the team and fully firing, Celtic are a totally different side. The drop-off to the bench players – no disrespect – but it’s huge. They’re irreplaceable for Celtic.
“And I think watching the highlights last night (vs Heart of Midlothian), one of the biggest cheers was for Callum McGregor making that big recovery run.
“That game next could be a bit of a league decider. The last [Old Firm] fixture at Celtic Park, Callum McGregor ran the show. He obviously wasn’t fully fit for the last game. To show that he might be back to his full fitness was a massive boost for Celtic.”
Callum McGregor can help Celtic over the line
Celtic have experienced members of their squad who have been over the course in the Scottish Premiership title race, and McGregor is a living embodiment of the qualities needed to get across the finish line.
Despite his injury struggles, the 30-year-old has been a leading presence for the Bhoys this term, registering two goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions [Transfermarkt].
In a few weeks time, McGregor will be determined to be on the podium hoisting the league trophy above his head; however, his professionalism won’t allow for any complacency heading into the Glasgow Derby this weekend.