John Kennedy updates on Callum McGregor’s fitness status ahead of this week’s Glasgow Derby.

With the victory over Livingston behind them, Celtic’s whole attention is now on getting ready for Sunday’s matchup with the Rangers at Ibrox.

Even though this is now the biggest game of the season, John Kennedy has already acknowledged that the Celtic dressing room is the “calmest place in Scotland.”

After their 3-0 victory yesterday, Celtic has now scored twenty goals in their last five games. With this style of play, the supporters should feel reasonably secure heading into Sunday’s trip to Ibrox.

Celtic are in excellent form going into the match at the top of the table thanks to this, Reo Hatate’s return to the starting lineup, and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ progress.

For the supporters of Celtic, there is still one piece of the puzzle missing. Callum McGregor’s injury has prevented him from playing in the Scottish Premiership for the past three games, raising questions about whether he will be ready for the Glasgow Derby as well.

McGregor Callum “improving”

When asked if McGregor would be ready for Ibrox yesterday afternoon while he was in the media, Celtic Assistant Manager John Kennedy expressed optimism.

Kennedy stated, “Hopefully,” on the Scottish Football Podcast, “Hopefully, again, we’ll see how he goes during the week. He’s not trained as yet but he’s improving.

“So we’ll just kind of take each day as it comes along the way and see what it brings. But again, even having Reo back today and Cameron back and 90 minutes and his legs it’s coming together nicely.”

In order for Celtic to achieve a success against Rangers, their captain needs to be available and healthy. That is not to say they can not succeed without him, but having him on the team clearly increases their chances.

The Celtic captain has won 20 of the 36 games he has played against Rangers, drawn five, and lost just eleven. In all those appearances, he created three goals and scored four. [Transfermarkt]

The team would benefit greatly from having McGregor, Matt O’Riley, and Reo Hatate in the midfield. Without any travelling fans to support them at Ibrox, they are already at a severe disadvantage.

With a victory, Celtic would go four points clear of the standings and would greatly increase the pressure on Rangers to win their remaining match on April 10 at Dundee.

In other news, John Kennedy makes a bold claim for Celtic ahead of Rangers derby