Callum McGregor insists Celtic are still firmly in the title race as they prepare for Sunday’s trip to Ibrox. With eleven league games left, the Hoops sit six points behind Hearts and two behind Rangers, though they hold a game in hand on both.
Celtic have made life harder for themselves in recent weeks. Conceding first has become a habit. Chasing games drains energy, especially with Europe and the cup still on the fixture schedule.
The captain’s message is not about drama. It is about control. Stop giving teams a head start. Take care of details. Build momentum rather than search for late rescues.
He said: (TCW), “By far, we’re not out of the title race at all. We’ve put ourselves under pressure, we need to win some big games that are coming up. But that’s not beyond us, we’ve been doing that all season and we’ve been doing it for the last few years. So we have that experience in the bank.
“The one thing I will say is we have to make the game easier for ourselves because you can’t keep chasing the game. Because then you’re relying on miracles at the end of games all the time.
“I think if both teams (Celtic and Rangers) won on Sunday, I don’t think anybody would be saying there’s any change. The league is competitive, the top four, five, six teams are all good teams. We’ve put ourselves under pressure to win some big games that normally you can afford draws here and there.
“But I think now we have to pretty much win every game. But there will be twists and turns, so the one thing for sure is that we have to stick together. I know there’ll be a lot of anger and disappointment, but we’re a long way from home. So we have to keep going, we have to keep fighting and we will do that.
“I think everyone will be thinking we have to win every game. So that’s all I’m thinking about from our perspective is, can we simplify the game, can we make the game easier for ourselves? And if we do that, then I think we’ve got a good chance.
“Generally, the second half of the season is the one where, if you can put an unbeaten run together, then you’ve got a good chance. So I think we’re in similar territory.
“In terms of outcomes and title races and all that, I don’t think we can really be dragged into that. I think we have to simplify the game and start making the game easier for ourselves. And if we do that, then we’ve got a good chance.
“So for us it’s now about detail, performance and giving absolutely everything you can. And then we’ll talk about winning games and winning titles at that point. So we have to go back to the start point. And one, stop conceding goals. And two, make the game easier for yourself.
“Obviously, you have to deal with fixture congestion and all these things. You want to play in Europe. Good games, tough games. So the recovery stuff is important. Mentality is important. And yeah, if you want to win competitions, then you have to show up.”
Sunday is a chance to change the mood. Celtic have gone to Ibrox needing a result before and found one. They will have to look after the ball and stay switched on when Rangers break.
There is still a game in hand. That gives them a bit of room on paper. It means nothing if they don’t raise their level.
McGregor is not dressing it up. Start fast. Stop giving goals away. Be sharper in both boxes.
Too often lately they have been reacting instead of dictating. That has to flip.
If they do their job properly, the table will take care of itself.
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