Leading up to the highly anticipated Old Firm derby, BBC Scotland analyst James McFadden predicts that a fully recovered Callum McGregor will secure a starting spot for Celtic against Rangers on April 7th.
During his appearance on Sportscene after a bustling Saturday of Scottish Premiership matches, McFadden emphasized McGregor’s crucial leadership in the midfield as the Glasgow rivalry intensifies at noon.
The upcoming Old Firm clash is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested matches in recent history, with Rangers trailing Celtic by a mere point in the standings. A victory for the Gers at Ibrox would propel Philippe Clement’s team two points ahead with an extra game in hand. However, McGregor’s comeback from injury for Celtic could play a pivotal role in determining the final result.
McFadden echoed this sentiment, stating, “If Callum McGregor has successfully completed training in the past few days, he will certainly make the starting lineup. He exerts a significant influence on the Celtic team, especially in this fixture; there’s no use in keeping him on the bench.”
McGregor’s potential return could be a game-changer for Celtic against the resurgent Rangers. McGregor has a special affinity for the Old Firm derby, evident from his stellar record against Celtic’s arch-rivals. In April 2017, the Scottish midfielder netted two consecutive goals against Rangers, and a year later, he wrapped up the scoring in a resounding 5-0 victory.
Interestingly, Rangers clinched their most recent title in the 2020-21 season by defeating Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox just before the late-season split, with McGregor accidentally scoring an own goal. A similar outcome in the upcoming derby would elevate Rangers above their rivals to the summit of the Premiership.
While Celtic will undoubtedly welcome their skipper’s return after his month-long absence, Rangers’ exceptional form—winning 10 out of their last 11 league matches—suggests that overcoming the Gers at Ibrox will require more than just McGregor’s presence on the pitch.