Callum McGregor: Rangers semi-final the perfect game for Martin O’Neill’s Celtic

Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes facing Rangers is the perfect chance to lift the club following a difficult period.

McGregor has seen interim management team Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney provide a much-needed bounce following two consecutive Premiership defeats and the shock departure of Brendan Rodgers.

A period of tension between the manager and club hierarchy over transfer dealings had transmitted into open hostility between a large section of supporters and the board.

The latter issue is sure to linger but a 4-0 win over Falkirk on Wednesday helped settle the players and McGregor and his team-mates can deliver a feelgood factor with victory at Hampden in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

“They’ve come in with a real positivity,” McGregor said of the new management team. “It’s just about reminding the players how good they are and what we’ve achieved, albeit some new players came in.

“But a real good core of players that have won stuff at this club, and staff as well that have been a massive part of that.”

McGregor was an 11-year-old in the Celtic academy when O’Neill departed the club in 2005 with seven trophies to his name.

“He understands the fabric of the club,” McGregor said. “It’s Celtic people who really understand the club.

“It was almost a full generation ago that he was here the first time. You’ve obviously seen the team being super successful, winning trophies, getting to the UEFA Cup final. I was coming through the academy at that time, and it was really inspiring to have the first team performing so well.

“You’ve seen how big the club was and you think, one day I want some of that. So to actually be here working with him on a really personal level, it’s amazing.

“He’s been great. He’s sharp as a tack. He’s a really good person and he’s got good people around him as well. You know what he’s like, he’s quite a funny character as well and just lightened the mood a little bit.

“It helped for the players because sometimes you don’t know how to feel when there’s a change. But right away, when he spoke to the players, it made them feel at ease.

“Obviously, winning games is the biggest thing that helps everyone at a football club. So everyone’s now naturally feeling good about themselves.”

The 32-year-old added: “Shaun has been amazing. His work ethic is unbelievable. He’s making sure everyone’s OK, the training level was great.

“It’s been a really positive bounce. I think we needed that. The spell that we were in was a little bit tough for everyone. We’ve wiped the slate clean, we’ve got a really good result midweek. Now is probably the perfect game.”

Celtic have not beaten Rangers since last year’s final, when they triumphed on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

The Scottish champions have since lost to Gers teams managed by Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson, and drawn with Russell Martin’s side. They now face Danny Rohl in his fourth game in charge.

“Both teams are in a bit of change, so whoever can win the game, if it’s us, it can give everyone a lift, it can give the supporters a lift, the players, the manager, the club a lift,” McGregor said.

“These are the types of games that you have to win if you want to be here for a long period of time.”