Callum McGregor’s laser sharp focus for our trip to Ibrox is ominous for them, but very positive for Celtic

There is no doubting that Callum McGregor was sorely missed in last March’s Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park.

Had he been available on the day, I think there would have been a much different outcome.

I think we would have won that game, and won it comfortably.

The fact that he is available for next Sunday’s derby at Ibrox, is a big plus for us.

Calmac brings a level of calmness when he plays in our midfield.

He makes sure that he has a cool head when all those around him are losing theirs.

That rubs off on the rest of our players as well.

In the cauldron that will be Ibrox next Sunday, he is the calm personality we need in midfield.

We recorded our podcast a little earlier today as the guys had various commitments that didn’t allow for a live episode.

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On it we discussed a lot of points, but we finished up with a chat about the game at Ibrox.

We were all of the opinion that the Ibrox side would come at us from the off.

But that we needed to be calm, and absorb whatever they threw at us.

I believe that the man who sits just in front of the defence is the man to ensure that happens.

Not only that, but he needs to marshal our midfield and get the best out Reo Hatate and Arne Engels.

Arne Engels has been outstanding for Celtic all season, but he has been found wanting in this fixture.

Now is his chance to prove himself.

It’s also his chance to burst the ridiculous media hype bubble surrounding Nicolas Raskin.

Engels himself knows he is a better player than Raskin.

He knows that on his day, he could own Raskin.

With Calmac in midfield with him, the team has proven they are unstoppable over the last three games.

All three, as I alluded to in the podcast, have been 5 goal wins.

Reo Hatate has been imperious in the last three fixtures, but he has been like a rabbit in the headlights in this last three derbies.

Calmac needs to put his arm around these lad’s shoulders before this game.

He only needs to say one thing;

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing these past three games, and we’ve got this, it’s in the bag.”

And that really is the truth of the matter.

We need to forget about what has gone before this.

These players know they’re good enough to make a statement at Ibrox.

Barry Ferguson’s desperation to win this one and beat Celtic again will most likely be his undoing.

He will probably naively think that if he did manage to win it, it would put him in with a good shout for the Ibrox job on a permanent basis.

Which we know he’s desperate to land, because he’s pretty much said so.

But you have to believe that Rodgers will be wise to his approach this time.

Callum McGregor was quoted in the Record this evening, and what he said is pretty ominous for anyone of an Ibrox persuasion, but very positive for us:

Since the manager had a pop at the players a couple of weeks ago, the response has been amazing. He sees these things coming, so he’s had a little poke and the players have reacted well.

We’ve got four really important league games to go. We spoke about it going into the Dundee United game that every game’s important, we want to finish strong and get maximum wins. Sunday is the next game that’s available for that.

When you lose any derby, you want to win the next one. That was the same going into the game at Celtic Park. It never quite worked out that way, a bit of circumstance at the end of the game and they carry a bit of luck.

McGregor knows in his own heart that it probably would have worked out differently had he been available on the day.

He also knows that this is his opportunity to prove that.

And what better time to do it?

The Ibrox side are out on their legs.

The Bazza experiment has failed miserably.

He has hemorrhaged goals and points since he took charge.

Celtic and Callum McGreegor need to expose how poor he is tactically.

I have no doubt they will next Sunday.

This is one I’m looking forward to.

As I’m sure Callum McGregor is too.

The week can’t pass fast enough…