Callum McGregor scored his third goal of the campaign yesterday, surpassing his total for last season, and was named Man of the Match, as voted by Celtic supporters. It must have been a tough call though with so many candidates for that accolade.

Celtic v theRangers – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park, James Tavernier and Daizen Maeda battle for the ball : Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

The other two goalscorers in the comfortable Glasgow Derby victory for Celtic, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi were certainly contenders but so too were Paulo Bernardo, Alistair Johnston, Greg Taylor, Liam Scales and Nicolas Kuhn.

Afterwards the Celtic captain admitted that Celtic should perhaps have scored a few more goals, to put a more accurate scoreline on a dominant performance from the Scottish Champions and Scottish Premiership leaders.

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Celtic v theRangers – Callum McGregor celebrates scoring the third Celtic goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

“The performance, quality of goals, quality of defending, the way the team worked for each other, it had a bit of everything and we were probably unlucky not to get more goals,” McGregor said, as reported by The Herald.

“I think we’re a good side. I think (the)Rangers are a good side as well, they probably had a little bit more possession than what they have had in previous games. But there’s more than one way to win a football match, and especially in transition today, I thought we were outstanding.

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Celtic v Rangers – Scottish Premiership – Callum McGregor scores Celtic’s third goal of the game at Celtic Park, on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

“We were so dangerous, got three, probably could have got four or five really if we look after the ball in that transition moment.

“It’s easy to say there’s a gap because the scoreline suggests it, but there’s only a gap in football if you continue to work hard and keep pressing home when you’ve got that advantage. The boys inside the dressing room know that, that they have to continue to work and get better because if you stand still in football then there’ll be somebody chasing you.

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Celtic v theRangers – Scottish Premiership – Callum McGregor celebrates scoring at Celtic Park on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

“Our mentality is us, we have to judge ourselves based on what we demand for the group and everything else then becomes irrelevant. We speak about that every day, we have to demand the maximum out of each other in training and games and then if we do that, then our level will be as high as it possibly can. And then when teams come and play against us, can they get to that level?

“But for sure we have to keep moving forward.”

On his run of goals this season, the Celtic captain tried to find an explanation for his good fortune in front of goal. “I just think sometimes you get yourself into these positions and when your luck’s in and you feel good then they seem to go in, so I’m happy with that,” Calmac said.

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Celtic v theRangers – Scottish Premiership – Callum McGregor celebrates scoring during the match at Celtic Park, on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

“Obviously when you play in these games you want to do well and help the team as much as you can. I think the boys will tell you when you score in this fixture then it’s probably as good a feeling as you’ll get in football, so absolutely delighted.

“But the most important thing is the team and how we played and the results, so, a good afternoon.”

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