Callum McGregor demands Celtic 'rectify' Hampden heartbreak as skipper relives huddle of hurt after Rangers defeat

Callum McGregor got a spectacular response from a gloomy gathering a year ago.

Now the Celtic skipper intends to keep that sizzling run going with no intentions of assembling another Scottish Cup huddle of hurt at Hampden. Ange Postecoglou’s team were denied a Treble shot last season when defeated in the last four by Rangers. However, McGregor instantly rounded up his troops on the park after the final whistle to re-emphasise positivity and the reaction has been staggering.

Since that setback, Celtic have played 45 domestic matches and lost just once. That sensational sequence has brought a Premiership crown, a second Viaplay Cup and put them on the brink of a second straight title. McGregor now wants this term’s Scottish Cup. And, although Rangers were defeated in that Viaplay Final at the National Stadium in February, the captain says the frustration of last season’s stumble in the Scottish still lingers within some and can be used as additional fuel for the already-blazing Celtic fires.

McGregor said: “When you have disappointments like that in football, it sits with you a lot longer than the positive times. You remember them for longer, it hurts for longer. When you get a chance to rectify it, you have to do everything in your power to do that and right the wrong.

“The last time we went to Hampden was the League Cup Final and we felt like we owed them one from the semi-final last year. We managed to make that a positive experience. Again, this group will still be feeling the hurt of what happened 12 months ago, so it’s important we carry that emotion. You don’t let it cloud your emotion in terms of what you see on the pitch, but it can fuel you to go on and achieve better things.

“We’ve had a great 12 months since