Cal will take derby memory to the Grave...
AS A ballboy, Callum McGregor once ran the length of the pitch to celebrate a Thomas Gravesen goal against Rangers. Having gone on to score against the Ibrox side himself after making his way through the ranks at Celtic, the midfielder understands just what a result against Rangers means to the Hoops fans.
McGregor scored in back-to-back games against Rangers last season in the Scottish Cup and then in a 5-1 rout at Ibrox. The midfielder has been back in the team for recent games against Aberdeen and Morton and has already eclipsed last season’s scoring tally.
“I remember being the ballboy at the game when Thomas Gravesen scored against Rangers,” smiled McGregor.
“That’s my earliest memory of being at one.
“I was up the other end when he scored but I think I ran the full length of the pitch celebrating.
“I wasn’t in front of the Rangers fans though, so it was okay.
“As a ballboy, it was just an unbelievable atmosphere to be part of.
“It was great to watch but to then go from being a ballboy to playing in the game is something I am really proud of.”
The goals against Rangers last season were particularly definitive for the player. It was against Rangers in the Hogmanay fixture at Ibrox where McGregor affirmed his first-team credentials and he went on to further endorse them as the campaign went on. Inevitably, the strikes against Rangers and the weight they carry mark them out as the highlights of his career to date.
“The goal I scored at Ibrox is right up there with the best of my Celtic career,” he said.
“It was a great day. I’d scored the week before in the semi-final against Rangers. But to score at Ibrox, right in front of the Celtic fans, was special.
“It is better to win at Ibrox because you have three quarters of the stadium hating you.
“But we have had good results there recently and it’s been a good place for us to go.
“Hopefully we can continue that on Sunday.”
Rangers are expected to go toe-to-toe with the Parkhead side tomorrow afternoon with drama and intrigue anticipated.
For McGregor, though, it is about keeping concentration despite what may come.
“It’s about staying focused,” he said. “It’s about calm heads.
“We are there to play football so you don’t want to get caught up.
“I have been to Ibrox a few times now and as you get older, you stay calm.
“You hear some stuff but I try not to read things and get too caught up.
“Obviously you hear bits but the focus is all just on the training and getting in the manager’s thoughts for the game.
“Being a Glasgow boy, it is about you everywhere you go. People keep asking for tickets, I will turn my phone off.”