Callum McGregor to start for Celtic in Old Firm v Rangers – BBC Scotland pundit
Ahead of the Old Firm derby, BBC Scotland pundit James McFadden believes a fit-again Callum McGregor will start for Celtic against Rangers on 7 April.
Speaking on Sportscene following a packed Saturday of Scottish Premiership fixtures, McFadden highlighted the importance of McGregor’s leadership in midfield as the Glasgow rivalry is renewed at midday.
It’s one of the closest Old Firm matches to call in recent memory, with Rangers trailing Celtic in the table by just one point. A win for the Gers at Ibrox would take Philippe Clement’s side two points clear with a game in hand, but McGregor’s return from injury for Celtic could prove crucial in deciding the outcome.
McFadden was in agreement, saying: “If Callum McGregor has gotten through training over the last couple of days, Callum McGregor plays. He’s so, so influential in the Celtic team, and in this fixture in particular; there’s no point sitting him on the bench.”
McGregor return could be key for Celtic against resurgent Rangers
McGregor loves no game quite like an Old Firm derby, and that’s clear in his record against the Bhoys’ biggest rivals. Rangers were on the receiving end of two goals in consecutive matches from the Scottish international in April 2017, who also rounded off the scoring in a 5-0 thrashing 12 months later.
Interestingly, Rangers’ most recent title win in 2020-21 saw them beat Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox prior to the late-season split, and a similar result this time around would take them above their rivals to the Premiership’s summit. The sole scorer that day? McGregor, into his own net.
There’s little doubt that Celtic will welcome the return of their skipper, who has missed over a month of action, but with Rangers in sensational form, winning all 10 of their 11 league games in 2024, it’ll take more than just McGregor to deny the Gers all three points at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Keith Jackson has shared his prediction for the Old Firm derby ahead of today’s highly-anticipated clash at Ibrox.
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