Celtic backed to make two changes in midfield amid possible Callum McGregor injury vs Rangers

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Callum McGregor is the heartbeat of Celtic.

There is a reason why McGregor is the Celtic captain and one of the first names on the teamsheet for Brendan Rodgers.

On Sunday, it’s the big one for the Treble chasers because, the Premiership title might be wrapped up, but Celtic have Rangers to deal with.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	29	24	3	2	87	17	70	75
2	RangersRangers	29	18	5	6	59	26	33	59
3	HibernianHibernian	30	11	11	8	45	41	4	44
4	AberdeenAberdeen	30	12	7	11	38	46	-8	43

After the Ibrox horror show last time out, Celtic will want revenge and to pile more misery on their neighbours, as they make the short trip across Glasgow.

McGregor isn’t just reliable on the pitch, but he is usually always fit and available, but that might not be the case now.

There are rumours and suggestions that the 31-year-old might not play against Rangers because he is nursing an injury.

READ MORE: What Celtic star Callum McGregor has noticed about Rangers since Barry Ferguson took over

Celtic backed to make Arne Engels and Luke McCowan calls if Callum McGregor is injured against Rangers

Celtic beat St Mirren in the Premiership and Hibernian in the Scottish Cup for their last two matches, with McGregor not completing the full 90 minutes because he is nursing a calf injury.

If the skipper is absent for the Glasgow derby, then Peter Grant made it clear that two changes need to be made by Rodgers.

Grant told Go Radio that Celtic’s club-record transfer Arne Engels needs to move ‘centrally’ and the ever-impressive, Luke McCowan should start.

“I think Luke McCowan has been excellent,” said Grant. “I think against St Mirren, again, he came on and did exceptionally well, in the game previous, I thought he was the difference against Hibs in certain aspects.

“He brings a quickness to the play. Against St Mirren, I know it’s going to sound crazy when I say this, but he started to play like a Dundee player.

“I have been really impressed with him since he has come in the door. I disagree (that Engels should be dropped for the derby). I am a big Engels fan. I think last week was a little quieter for him.

“But, I think the week previous, he is running off the ball, he has got good energy and he has a range of pass.

“It’s slightly different for Callum (McGregor). He is in between the lines. But I think Engels can see the longer passes and hits them consistently well. I think his set-play delivery is massive. All these aspects of the game.

“I would definitely play Engels, Hatate and McGregor if they are fit. But that’s no slight on McCowan, because every time he has come on, he has been excellent.

“If Callum McGregor isn’t fit, then I would move Engels centrally, and I would put McCowan in with that group.”

What has McGregor said about his injury?

You know something is the issue if McGregor is a doubt because he plays through a lot and this derby means a lot to him.

Even though Celtic dominate on the domestic stage, a man like McGregor just ensures that his boyhood club don’t take their foot off the accelerator.

Ahead of the match, the man himself has spoken about his injury issue and how training has gone leading up to the Rangers match.

“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,” shared McGregor, as quoted by the Daily Record.

“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.

“I’ve said a million times that playing for Celtic is a huge honour, so you have to put yourself in a position that many supporters would do and play through the pain barrier and give yourself every chance to be involved in these games. “The derby means so much to the club and means so much personally as well so you want to play in these games.”