BEAMING captain Callum McGregor hailed the Celtic team spirit and togetherness after the four-goal rout of their city rivals at Parkhead yesterday.
A crisp double delivered by the lively Liel Abada, a breathtaking run and clinical finish from Filipe Jota and excellent opportunism from substitute David Turnbull hoisted the champions to a five-point advantage at the Premiership pinnacle after just six games.
McGregor, who was a controlling influence in the team’s engine room from the moment referee Nick Walsh blew his whistle at 12.30pm to get the derby action underway, was overjoyed by the way his team-mates coped with the loss of the talismanic Kyogo Furuhashi in just two minutes.
SMILES BETTER…Callum McGregor, Josip Juranovic and Matt O’Riley display Celtic’s feelgood factor.
The Japanese hitman, scorer of six goals already in this campaign, had to go off with an injured left shoulder after a challenge from John Lundstram.
Kyogo is now rated for the Champions League opener against holders Real Madrid in Glasgow on Tuesday, but it’s obvious the Hoops have a ready-made replacement in Giorgos Giakoumakis.
The Greek frontman came off the substitutes’ bench and fitted effortlessly into the frontline to emphasise the one-for-all-and-all-for-one attitude that is prevalent at Parkhead since the arrival and approach by Ange Postecoglou.
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “It just shows the mentality into the group.
“I spoke about that to Giakomouakis after the game, to come on after a minute in this fixture and play like that shows the mentality of the group.
“Everyone is together and knows their part and when you get that structure it’s difficult to live with.
“The place is buzzing, supporters are going home happy, the group are happy and what a fixture to look forward to.
“We need to rest up well, recover and go again on Tuesday.”
JUST PARADISE: ABADA AT THE DOUBLE WITH CHAMPS TO THE FOUR
