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‘It hurts still’: Celtic ace Callum McGregor wants to put things right in Old Firm derby

Callum McGregor of Celtic looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between RB Leipzig and Celtic at Red Bull Arena on October 25,...
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The Hoops were beaten 1-0 by their Glasgow rivals in the Scottish Premiership back in December.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 29:Scott Arfield of Rangers vies with Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor of Celtic during the Ladbrookes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic...

Ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby, Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor has spoken out on the pain of losing to Rangers, which persists even now, and how eager they are to put things right when the two rivals face off at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

The table-topping Hoops currently sit 10 points ahead of their Glasgow rivals, who are second in the standings, but their last meeting, back in December, resulted in the Light Blues running out 1-0 winners at Ibrox following a dominant performance against the Parkhead side.

McGregor, who was deployed in an unfamiliar left-back role in the festive period game at their rivals’ stadium, spoke of how “horrible” it was to lose such a significant game, and although their form in 2019 and pole position in the title race has been a great boost, the opportunity to avenge December’s defeat is on the players’ minds.

“You hurt,” the 25-year-old told Sky Sports News. “It’s been three months in the waiting since the December game and it hurts still. Every day you keeping going but in the back of your mind it does hurt and when you get the chance to put it right you take it.

17th March 2019, Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Ladbrokes Premiership football, Dundee versus Celtic; Callum McGregor of Celtic holds off Genserix Kusunga of Dundee

“It was tough to take – we know how low it was to have that feeling in the dressing room. It’s not what you want to experience, it’s a massive derby and means so much to everyone in Scotland. When you are on the receiving end of getting beat then it’s horrible.”

Celtic have won 11 of the last 16 encounters between the two Glasgow sides, drawing the other five, and have not lost to their bitter rivals at Parkhead since 2010.

Callum McGregor of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Valencia v Celtic at Estadio Mestalla on February 21, 2019 in Valencia, Spain.