Callum McGregor in firm Celtic defence of Kyogo with striker 'determined' to make Rangers statement

Callum McGregor has backed Kyogo Furuhashi to help Celtic make a statement – and bury recent hurt. The Parkhead skipper is thirsting to deliver another massive win over Rangers.

Kyogo hit the winner when the sides met at Ibrox earlier in the season to extend an outstanding derby sequence. The Japanese has not been at scintillating best in recent weeks with just two goals in his last 14 games. But McGregor has no doubts Kyogo can come up trumps once more and said: “I always back Kyogo. He’s a top, top striker. Okay, he’s missed a few chances, but the good thing is he’s been in the positions to have them. You don’t want to give him too many, because he certainly doesn’t waste too many.

“We know how important he has been in this fixture. I don’t have any issues with Kyogo going into this game and the missed chances don’t bother me at all. We know that when we create a chance, he will be there. And nine times out of ten, he will take it.”

McGregor says keeping clear heads is key to success, but a fire burns inside. The captain spoke out in the wake of back-to-back defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts stating more was needed from the group as furious fans also dished out heavy criticism.

He said: “I wouldn’t say anything in public that I wouldn’t say to the players in the dressing room, but what happened a couple of weeks ago hurt. It hurt everybody, it hurt us and the supporters. Every time we go on the pitch now, we have to show that hurt, show we’re determined to do it right. This is another chance for us to do that and make a statement. But we must do it in every single game between now and the end of the season.”

McGregor knows just how important the fixture is and understands ground’s been lost to Rangers over the past