The Celtic welcome Matt O'Riley got from Callum McGregor that meant masked heroics were no surprise

Matt O’Riley knew Callum McGregor was a top man the minute he walked in the door at Celtic Park in January.

But it was when the skipper braved a broken face to take on Rangers the new recruit from MK Dons realised the long serving Celt was a proper leader of men.

O’Riley has hit the ground running since his bargain £1.5m switch two months ago and a lot has been down to the captain making him feel right at home.

The playmaker – who has been called up for the Denmark under 21s – can see it’s McGregor who makes Celtic tick.

He sets the tone in training, supports the side while laying out the demands.

But more than most, McGregor leads from the front.

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The 28-year-old was at it again at Tannadice on Monday night as the Hoops cruised in to the Scottish Cup semi-finals and set up a collision course with fierce rivals Rangers.

McGregor ran the show all night and grabbed the crucial opening goal to send Celts on their way as a potentially tricky evening at Tannadice turned out to be fairly stress free.

The same can’t be said about the coming weeks.

Celtic are gearing up for an epic April – which could incredibly contain THREE Old Firm showdowns.

Ange Postecoglou’s men are on Premiership duty at Ibrox on