Callum McGregor has revealed to the press that he is facing a fight to be fit for Sunday’s Glasgow derby against Rangers.
The Celtic captain has been a monumental factor in the club’s dominance over Rangers in the derbies across the last decade or so.
So for McGregor to miss out would be huge disappointment for him personally, as well as for manager Brendan Rodgers.
McGregor had to be substituted out of the 5-2 away victory against St Mirren a couple of weeks ago having felt his calf muscle tighten up.
But thankfully, Rodgers explained before playing Hibs in the Scottish Cup last weekend that McGregor had recovered from the niggly issue.
The skipper played 75 minutes against David Gray’s side as Celtic delivered a 2-0 win at a noisy Parkhead to secure passage to the semi-finals.
But it appears McGregor has suffered a flare up of the calf issue this week as he told reporters that he did not train with the rest of the first-team squad on Friday.
Celtic fans react to McGregor injury sweat
Usually, Celtic supporters would be quite concerned if their captain McGregor was struggling with an injury before facing Rangers.
But given the fact the Bhoys are a mammoth 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership, plus the depth in quality Celtic have in their squad, many don’t seem to be flustered.
One fan said on YouTube: “Huge mistake for any player to start who is not 100% fit. Any doubt put Calmac on the bench and start McCowan.”
Another wrote: “If Callum isn’t fit don’t take a chance with him the Lads a winner but if he’s carrying one no better man to come off the bench HH.”
On social media platform X, this Celtic fan said: “Bench for me. Starting 11 need to be 100% fit for the inevitable battle at the start.”
And this supporter posted: “It’s not a game for unfit players. Engels takes his position and McCowan fills in for Engels.”
What McGregor said at his pre-Rangers press conference
McGregor admitted it has been a ‘tough week’ for him as his usual preparations for a derby against Rangers were scuppered somewhat.
He explained at his press conference on Friday afternoon: “I wasn’t with the group today, so just trying to step it up and do a wee bit of individual work with the physio guys.
“Hopefully, we won’t have any reaction and I’ll be good to train with the team tomorrow, then if I can train tomorrow then I will be fit for Sunday. It’s a calf issue, so we will see how it goes.
“It’s one of those games you don’t want to miss so that is why we are giving it every chance and give it as long as you can to be ready to go out on the pitch.
“It’s been a tough week but I am trying to do everything I can to be available.”
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