McGregor welcomes daunting challenge

Hibernian Scottish Cup winner Darren McGregor is not overawed by the prospect of arresting famous footballing records.

That is why the 32-year-old admits he is relishing the chance to end Celtic’s epic 67-game unbeaten run on Sunday.

McGregor has timed his return from knee injury perfectly after ending a three-month lay-off in Saturday’s victory at Partick Thistle ahead of a mouth-watering run of matches against Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen.

McGregor wrote himself into club’s folklore when he helped end the Leith outfit’s tortuous 114-year wait for Scottish Cup glory against Rangers in May last year.

Ten days before that historic day at Hampden was actually the last time Celtic lost their last domestic game in a setback to St Johnstone, and McGregor is desperate to inflict a rare loss on the reigning Scottish champions on Sunday.

He said: “Some people say I have timed it perfect, that I am just back for the big games but that’s what we all play football for – to judge yourself against the best, and Celtic are the measuring stick, unbeaten in 67 games.

“It’s some feat and records are there to be beaten and I believe in the games we’ve played them this season we’ve given them a bit of bother.

“It’s a tremendous effort not just in Scottish football but the world over because you have to beat what’s in front of you and there’s lots of factors that can spring up and make that difficult, so fair play to them to go out all these times and to never be beaten is a hell of an achievement.

“But it is there to be broken and every team that plays them hopes it will be them.”

I believe in the games we’ve played them this season we’ve given them a bit of bother. DARREN MCGREGOR