Mark Devlin 
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Callum McGregor took time to reflect on Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers last Sunday and spoke of his own performance, which had fans raving about him afterwards.
The 23-year-old opened the scoring for the Hoops after just 11 minutes when his neat strike glided its way into the bottom left corner of the goal.
He also spoke of boss Brendan Rodgers and the inspiration the Irishman gave him to perform well in the champions’ 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox on Hogmanay.
As quoted by The Scotsman, the midfielder described his emotions after managing to get on the scoresheet at the weekend:
I have watched it a fair few times. It was nice. I saw it coming, seen the defender [Danny Wilson] in the way and just tried to bend it round him.
When it came I saw the goalkeeper [Wes Foderingham] and the defender on the same line, so I thought that, if I got enough on it, then it would go in. I took it so quick. It did look more like a pass into the net.
The midfielder, who has four goals and eight assists in 40 appearances this season, spoke of the turning point in his game and when he felt that came in his season.
He added:
I spoke to the manager the week before [the last game at Ibrox] and he said how I was part of his plans. He said he wanted to me to go and kick on and it was a big game for me. He urged me to go and show people I could play.
After that game it gave me the confidence I could play in one of the biggest games. That was the turning point for me and it’s been in my head ever since then to really go and kick on.
We now go back there on Saturday and it’s funny how football works sometimes. There are games that stick in your head, so I’ll go back there on Saturday with that good memory. Hopefully, I’ll be full of confidence again.
The Celtic youth academy graduate has never been one to receive praise after every game, nor has he been the flashiest player, but he’s been a superb asset for Rodgers this campaign and has been utilised in a well-thought manner.
His ability to change a game and pop up with a goal at the right moment has made him as influential as any of the other big name stars.
He returns to Ibrox this Saturday for the first time since his tremendous performance there on Hogmanay and could play a key role once again.
