Key Takeaways
- Celtic captain Callum McGregor claims the champions remain favourites because of past title-winning experience.
- The Glasgow giants sit third, three points adrift of leaders Hearts and two behind Rangers.
- Interim boss Martin O’Neill has steadied the ship after two managerial changes this season.
Callum McGregor is convinced Celtic still own the psychological advantage in the Scottish Premiership shoot-out even though Heart of Midlothian top the table.
The holders, chasing a fourth straight crown, have five fixtures left and could lift the trophy if they win them all, according to their skipper.
“We have climbed this mountain before,” the midfielder said. “Staying calm, training hard and clearing each of the last five hurdles will decide everything.”
Celtic welcome Falkirk this weekend while Rangers face Motherwell and Hearts travel to city foes Hibernian, giving the chasing pair a chance to cut the gap before kick-off.
McGregor praised caretaker manager Martin O’Neill for reuniting a dressing room that lost Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy. “He glued the place back together and the results keep coming,” the captain added.
Fans had slammed the board when Hearts opened a nine-point cushion earlier in the campaign, yet McGregor believes that backlash only fuelled the squad’s desire. “We have fought through chaos and still believe we can finish on top,” he said.
O’Neill, in his second interim stint, has not lost in nine league matches. McGregor backs the 72-year-old to land the role full-time if Celtic add both the league and Scottish Cup to their trophy cabinet. “The players are right behind him,” he stated.