CalMac before the storm
McGregor: Celts in perfect shape ahead of Old Firm mayhem
CALLUM McGREGOR insists Celtic are in the mood to take the final massive step in their pre-break push.
The playmaker set his side on their way to victory over St Mirren before James Forrest’s first strike in eight matches sealed the triumph. Success maintained a five-point lead for Neil Lennon’s side going into Sunday’s Old Firm showdown against nearest challengers Rangers and McGregor is adamant the players are ready to put the seal on a fabulous spell. Since winning the Betfred Cup and reaching the last 32 of the Europa League the champions
made a pact to win the next five Premiership matches to go into the Old Firm game eight in front.
An 11th straight top-flight triumph in Paisley kept that plan firmly intact and McGregor said: “It was going to be a tough game so to come and win was excellent.
“You make the sacrifices on Christmas Day to do the job properly and got the win.
“We looked at the fixtures and at the last five before the break. We knew if we could win them all we’d be in a good place. We’ve done four, now we need to rest, recover and try to get that fifth one.
“We’re in a good place with a lot of wins in a row so we’ve got that run going and we want to protect it. Derby games are special so we won’t need any extra motivation.”
Both sides went at it instantly in a strong opening 20 minutes. It’s at that point of a game, when the initial fire goes out of it, the quality comes to the fore. Right on cue Celtic and Odsonne Edouard suddenly moved up the gears.
He’d sprung to life by evading a couple of challenges and whip one just over the bar. It was a warning for the home side and the next time the Frenchman got a run at their backline they were a goal down.
Edouard was released from a
central area and darted into the box before a touch inside seemed to have lost the chance.
But as Paul McGinn and keeper Vaclav Hladky hesitated, McGregor sniffed an opening and nudged an effort against a post and stayed alert to knock home the rebound.
The second arrived from Forrest just after the half hour. Edouard was again the architect as he stayed inside his own half before racing clear on to a pass from the winger.
The Frenchman’s driving run and deft pass back into the run of Forrest who had continued his charge alongside him was perfect. The touch to round Hladky and slam home with the left peg was also wonderful.
Two blistering counter-attacks, two goals and the champions went into the restart in total control.
Saints boss Jim Goodwin felt the lost goals were both avoidable but it’s what Edouard can do and McGregor said: “Odsonne is an incredible player and the forefront of our attack. We try to join in, he links the play and plays a great pass for Jamesy with great awareness.
“He’s much more than a scorer. He’s creative, can hold the ball, come short. He’s terrific. He’s such a platform for the team and also a big scorer for us so to have him fit and starting will be a boost.
“He’s shown that in Europe, these games and cup finals. He’s always been the go-to man. We’re just desperate to keep him fit.
“I try to chip in as much as I can. I fluctuate between playing advanced and tucked in besides Scott Brown. Sometimes I’m not as far forward so it’s always nice to get one. Jamesy’s delighted. Wingers and strikers are always desperate to score so you could see it meant a lot to him. It was great to see him back on the scoresheet.”
Although there were 45 minutes to go it was effectively over. Saints got a point from two goals down at home to Livingston 12 days earlier but this was a different proposition.
In fairness to the home side they gave a good account in the second period although Celtic also had chances to kill it.
Ryan Flynn diverted wide from a Junior Morais shot before the hour.
But Hladky denied Forrest and Jeremie Frimpong after Edouard had the ball in the net but was offside.
Christopher Jullien headed a Ryan Christie free-kick just over during that period as Celtic kept pushing for a third. Concentration was all
Lennon’s men needed but a rare lapse from Jullien gave Jon Obika a sniff before Kris Ajer mopped up and the English striker also glanced a header just wide.
Hladky denied Boli Bolingoli and Olivier Ntcham shot just wide for Saints scored in the final minute.
Cammy MacPherson had put in a terrific shift all day for the Buddies and got his reward in the end when Jullien clattered Obika and referee Willie Collum gave a free-kick.
The young midfielder’s shot was deflected beyond a wrongfooted Fraser Forster to put Saints on the scoreboard.
But Celtic were over the line and now it’s all systems go for Sunday as McGregor said: “Both teams are under pressure to win, that comes with the derbies. We just need to try to make sure we’ve won it.”