Celtic's Callum McGregor Affirms Intensity Of Old Firm Rivalry Despite Dominance

Add as a preferred source on Google

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has expressed his team's eagerness to triumph in the upcoming Old Firm derby on Thursday. Despite Celtic's continued dominance over Rangers, McGregor emphasised their desire to win. Brendan Rodgers' team holds a 14-point lead over second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Rangers have not won against Celtic in their last seven encounters.

Celtic have also defeated Rangers in both major domestic cup finals in 2024. Their only loss to Rangers in the last 14 meetings occurred after securing the league title in 2023. "We want to win every game, especially when the big ones come around," stated McGregor. "That's where you're judged." He stressed that these matches are crucial for evaluating success.

McGregor further elaborated on the importance of performing well during significant moments. He consistently reminds his teammates that excelling during key matches should become routine for them. Thursday's match is seen as another opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. In December's Scottish League Cup final, Celtic narrowly defeated Rangers 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Celtic approach this match with confidence, having scored eight goals in their last two games and maintaining an 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. "Every day is an opportunity to get better," McGregor noted, highlighting their successful 2024 and optimism for 2025, starting with the January 2nd match.

The captain explained that Celtic aim to maintain consistent performance each week while continuously improving their strategy. "Generally, the way that we want to play is the same every week and just adding layers all the time," he said. They plan to assess how they can exploit Rangers' mid-pitch block and identify effective combinations.

Impact of League Standings

When questioned about whether league standings would influence Thursday's game, McGregor dismissed such notions. "No, never," he replied. "It's a derby game. You want to win." He emphasised that both teams and their supporters are eager for victory regardless of current rankings.

As anticipation builds for this high-stakes encounter, both teams will strive for success on Thursday night at Ibrox Stadium. The fierce rivalry ensures intense competition as fans eagerly await another thrilling chapter in this historic fixture between Celtic and Rangers.