Callum McGregor issues rally cry for Celtic’s Ibrox mission

Callum McGregor has urged his teammates to impose themselves in the cauldron of Ibrox, and not get ‘sucked’ into the occasion, if they want to emerge victorious in today’s noon showdown in the Premier Sports Cup quarter final…

Callum McGregor of Celtic arrives at the ground ahead of kick off in the Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Speaking to club media, McGregor said: “A unique game, unique circumstances, obviously winner takes all, so you need to do a lot right. It’s cup football, regardless of the opponent, you need to turn up and do everything you can to win the game.

“We know that, we know it’s played to a finish, and we have to go there and do a lot right; impose our style and tempo on the game, be as aggressive as we can be, and hopefully we’ll finish with the result that we want.”

9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Callum McGregor of Celtic gives fans a thumbs up. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

The Celtic skipper emphasised the importance of NOT getting “sucked into the game in terms of the occasion and the atmosphere”,which he admitted is “easier said than done”.

Calmac also commented on the disgraceful decision to deny Celtic supporters a fair and reasonable representation at the game today: “Obviously, we’re disappointed that we don’t have any supporters in, but they can rest assured that the players know what the game means; they know what it means to them and to the football club.”

9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Mika Baur of Celtic celebrates after he shoots and scores in the 52nd minute to make it 1-0 to Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Callum also revealed that some of the recent arrivals have been picking his brain about the world famous fixture. He said: “Funnily enough, I’ve actually just had my conversation with Mika there and he’s asked me a little bit about the game.

“So it’s probably just try and drip-feed what to expect over the next couple of days, just try and plant it in people’s heads and explain to them what the game is about.”

Martin O’Neill at McDiarmid Park. 9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Perth, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The midfielder also praised manager Martin O’Neill for his calming influence and experience in major occasions. McGregor said: “He’s a man of huge experience, managed many, many big games.

“He brings that calmness, and generally in the bigger moments, you need to be calm and be less emotional. And give the players the confidence to go and carry out the game plan that we want.

“Generally over the piece, we’ve done pretty well.”

Callum McGregor will lead from the front this afternoon and hopefully will be running the show in the middle of the park against a Rangers team that in normal circumstances would not be expected to live with this Celtic team.

5th September 2026; Ibrox; Scottish Premiership. Rangers versus Motherwell; Rangers manager Derek McInnes serving a touchline ban sits in the directors box. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Derek McInnes does not enjoy a good record against Celtic, regardless of where he has managed – Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Hearts (when it mattered most!) and hopefully starting today, the Rangers. Let’s hope Del is back in with the ‘disgusting’ bad loser patter later today.

Here’s Celtic captain Callum McGregor speaking to CelticPlayer…

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