Callum McGregor pictured in Celtic training as captain provides massive boost ahead of Rangers showdown

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been spotted at Lennoxtown training as he ramps up his return from injury before Sunday's clash with Rangers.

McGregor has been missing since the 7-1 thrashing of Dundee on February 28. An Achilles problem kept him out of the 2-0 defeat to Hearts at the start of March and wins over Livingston and St Johnstone ahead of Scotland's double header against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland. He watched on again from the stands at Celtic Park as Livingston were saw off last weekend as teammate Reo Hatate made his long-awaited return.

But it appears increasingly likely that the Parkhead captain will be ready to play a key role in the crucial clash at the top of the Scottish Premiership as Celtic cross the Glasgow divide for the clash at Ibrox. He was spotted being put through his pace alongside his teammates by Brendan Rodgers and John Kennedy.

Both the Hoops' boss and lieutenant have stated in recents weeks that McGregor would have a good chance of being fit for the fixture. However, it remains up in the air if he will play from the start.

But Celtic hero Chris Sutton questioned if McGregor should be considered against Rangers if he was not up to full speed. Writing in his Record Sport column, Sutton said: "I will say one thing. If he’s not fully wound-up, I wouldn’t be playing him. Many will say an 80 percent-fit McGregor is much better than no McGregor at all for the Celtic, but I know from experience that you have to be absolutely bang at it in these games."