Celtic captain Callum McGregor has issued a rallying cry ahead of the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, telling his teammates: "You have to be Celtic." The Hoops return to Govan for the first time since last season's dramatic Scottish Cup penalty shoot-out win, but unlike that March clash when they had the full Broomloan Stand behind them, Celtic will have no supporters in their corner due to an away fan lockout.
McGregor's Cup Warning
Speaking ahead of the showdown, 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."
"You have to commit, you have to be Celtic, be on the front foot, pass the ball, don't necessarily get sucked into the game in terms of the occasion and the atmosphere of the game, which is obviously easier said than done. But any time that we have done that and managed to impose our style, generally we've come away with good results."
New Signings Briefed
McGregor revealed some of Celtic's summer signings, like Mika Baur, have already been picking his brains on what to expect. 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."
"And explaining the positive experiences that you've had as well and trying to instil confidence in the group to go there and relish the occasion. Ultimately, when we step across the pitch as players, then we have to find a way to make sure that we win the game."
O'Neill's Experience
Celtic are unbeaten in their last four trips across the city, and veteran boss Martin O'Neill has won 19 of his 31 Old Firm games across his two spells in charge, yet to lose since returning to the hotseat last season. McGregor told Celtic Player: "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, which is also difficult because everybody knows what it means and what you carry, that burden with you so it's important to stay calm, he always is. 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."
