CALLUM McGREGOR insists Celtic are ready for anything in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou’s hopes of a phenomenal treble in his first crusade as Hoops boss were derailed at the stage by the Ibrox club last season.
The Greek-Australian gaffer had already led the team to the League Cup after a double from Kyogo Furuhashi ensured the silverware after Hibs had taken a shock lead early in the second-half.
DERBY DUEL…Callum McGregor and Ryan Kent in a tussle for the ball at Hampden in February.
And the Parkhead men went into the last-four on the national competition as the Premiership pacesetters on their way to a tenth title in 11 years.
However, an unfortunate deflection from Carl Starfelt behind the helpless Joe Hart six minutes from the end of extra-time brought an abrupt and unexpected halt to the manager’s ambitions.
The champions, just one win from sealing their second successive crown, can gain revenge this time around when Michael Beale’s side provide the opposition once more.
Inspirational midfielder McGregor, who has led the team to five successive unbeaten derby encounters, said: “We’re predominantly looking at ourselves in terms of the training week and what we think we bring to the game as always.
“That’s number one and then, of course, in the games against Rangers this season they’ve tried probably three or four different systems to try and stop us in each of the games.
HAMPDEN HEROES…Callum McGregor and his delighted Celtic team-mates celebrate their Viaplay League Cup Final success over their Ibrox rivals.
“So, we’re preparing for each of those scenarios and whatever one we face, then, hopefully, we’ll have the solution to that come the game and it’s just about trying to find where the space is and how we can beat that press, progress the game forward and try and be dominant in the game.
“That’s the way we always want the game to look. So, we’ve done our preparation, we’re looking forward to the game as always.”
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “We know they are tough games. You always prepare as best you can in the week leading up.
“Of course, anything can happen in these games. There are two good teams with good quality going at each other.
“Preparation to that is key, so that when you go on the pitch, you give yourself the best chance of being successful and recently we’ve done that.
“That continues this week. The build-up has been good and the boys have trained really well.
“We’re looking at the detail of the game and always in Cup games you have to bring a big performance to make sure you go through to the next round.”
