With the anticipation thick in the air ahead of Sunday’s potential title-decider at Ibrox, both Rangers’ Philippe Clement and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers found themselves fielding questions about one player who’s potential involvement in the looming Old Firm derby has dominated plenty of column inches.
If you were to rank the Celtic players by their importance to Rodgers’ system, one suspects Callum McGregor would sit somewhere near the top, if not at the very summit.
McGregor might lack the goalscoring prowess of Kyogo Furuhashi, the searing pace of Daizen Maeda or the flashiness of Reo Hatate. But he is the man who so often makes Celtic tick, the metronome who lays the beat and sets the rhythm for Rodgers’ side.
Out of action since February, it may be a bit much expecting an immediate return to the starting XI for the Celtic skipper. But the sigh of relief emanating from Parkhead could be heard all the way at Ibrox when Rodgers confirmed, during his Friday press conference, that McGregor could yet play a part in a game which may go a long way to deciding the destination of the Premiership trophy.
Callum McGregor could return for Rangers vs Celtic
“He has made a remarkable recovery,” Rodgers says, via the Daily Record. “He is obviously not match fit because he has been out for a while. But we are hoping that he will be involved in the game.
“He has probably come back three or four weeks ahead of schedule. So that shows you the work and professionalism that he puts into his preparations. All being well, he gets through Saturday and we’ll have a clean bill of health for the first time all season.”
Rodgers’ opposite number may be relatively new still to Scottish football. But Philippe Clement needs no introduction into the metronomic talents of a man who, as the story goes, once misplaced a pass, if you can believe it.
Potential title-decider at Ibrox
“I don’t agree that he dominated the play at Celtic Park. There were moments that he was good on the ball. But there were also moments where he wasn’t dominating the game. I think my midfielders also dominated the game in moments,” Clement tells Rangers Review, referring to December’s 2-1 defeat Parkhead.
“I saw the first game (in September when Rangers were under Mick Beale’s control), and it’s true he was dominating. But I don’t need to say too much about that.
“He’s a very good player and he’s somebody with a lot of quality. He’s really good on the ball and he’s really important for their team. So it’s important to take that strength out of their team. And that’s one part you need to do.
“But it’s not only about one player.”
Celtic are one point clear of Rangers but the visitors have a game in hand. Clement, meanwhile, is expected to deploy a midfield three of John Lundstram, Mohamed Diomande and Todd Cantwell, although Tom Lawrence is also in contention to feature.
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