Mcgregor: Celtic need to be aggressive from the start in derby clash

CELTIC captain Callum Mcgregor will urge his team-mates to get on the front foot and produce a level of intensity that makes tomorrow a difficult afternoon for Rangers.

The cinch Premiership champions go into tomorrow’s derby three points and five goals better off then their city rivals but Mcgregor cautioned against going into the game with the mindset to avoid defeat. “I don’t think that’s the type of team that we are,” he told Celtic TV. “We are much, much better when we are on the front foot and aggressive, try and control the ball. I think that’s when we are at our best.

“We will be training very hard to make sure we influence the game in a positive way and, with us being at home that’s expected, and we go on the front foot and try to make it a really positive day.

“We have just got to stay calm and focus on doing our jobs. Sometimes you can get over-emotional.

“You understand what the game means in the context of the season but if we focus on performance and working as hard as we possibly can for each other and the supporters, then straight away the energy level goes up.

“I think when we take the game to a level and intensity that teams struggle to live with, that’s when we play our best football. That’s the message for us —focus on ourselves, work as hard as we possibly can for each other and let’s go and take the game to them and see what they have got.

“I have touched on it a lot, that the supporters are vitally important for us.

“When the place is rocking and the football is good it’s very, very difficult to beat that atmosphere. It’s top, top level.”

The 30-year-old was involved in a tussle with Todd Cantwell after Celtic’s 3-3 draw at Ibrox last month, which was sparked when the Rangers midfielder pushed him after full-time.

Mcgregor has a long and successful history in this fixture and he will relish the physical challenge.

“I love them,” the Scotland midfielder said. “If you don’t enjoy them, then you are going to struggle to play at a big club like this.”