GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Celtic's Callum McGregor celebrates as he scores to make it 2-1 during a Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park, on November 02, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Callum McGregor wants his team-mates to impose Celtic on Ibrox today.
With no away fans at the League Cup tie the pre-match huddle will be surrounded by hostility ahead of the first Glasgow Derby of the season.
Over the last decade McGregor has gone through almost every experience possible at Ibrox.
From seven thousand Celtic fans in the Broomloan Road Stand to games played in an empty stadium during the Lockdown season.
In-between all of those scenarios Celtic have tended to win or avoid defeat in the matches that have mattered.
Last season all three games at Ibrox were level after 90 minutes. In the Scottish Cup the injured McGregor and Kieran Tierney watched from the side-lines as a penalty from Tomas Cvancara took Celtic into the semi-finals.
McGregor has all that experience to call on today, speaking to the Celtic Player he revealed:
You have to commit. You must be Celtic, be on the front foot and pass the ball.
You can’t get sucked into the occasion or the atmosphere, which is easier said than done.
Any time we impose our style, we generally come away with good results.
That has to be the template, and then you can use the atmosphere to your advantage as well.
We’re disappointed we won’t have any supporters.
But they can rest assured the players know what the game means to them and to the club.
We’ll go there with everything to try to win.
It’s a unique game with unique circumstances. It’s winner takes all.
Captain McGregor is the one certain starter in the Celtic midfield but the other places are up for grabs.
Mika Baur and Ben Nygren are likely to be alongside the skipper but claims can be made for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Oliver Sorenson to be involved.
In attack Camilo Duran and Haissem Hassan look certain starters but the other place is up for grabs.
Team news will be announced at 10.45 with today’s match starting at 12 and played to a finish.
Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen are already in the semi-final draw.
