OPINION
Rangers fans already wallowing in the Celtic fans despair following the exit of Brendan Rodgers have been given further hope of a Parkhead upset in next month’s Old Firm showdown.
Callum McGregor, the Hoops’ outstanding player this season, is a major doubt for the clash in Glasgow’s East End on 31 March with a calf injury sustained in their defeat to Valencia last week.
The Scottish Sun report the midfielder, 25, will be out for weeks and faces a race against time to be fit for the clash of the two title chasers.
No Celtic fan needs reminding of the value and importance of McGregor, a mainstay of the team during the Rodgers era and the driving force of the revival that began when he was switched to a midfield quarterback role in late autumn.
He has already clocked up a remarkable 48 appearances in all competitions this season, 46 of which he has started, and it is little wonder his body is starting to feel the strain.
It is a shattering blow for Celtic that McGregor is expected to be sidelined for fixtures against Hearts, Aberdeen and Dundee in the league, as well as Hibernian in the cup.
New manager Neil Lennon will be especially eager that Celtic’s best midfielder can return to dictate the team’s tempo and rhythm against their bitter rivals on 31 March.
The exit of Rodgers could be a game-changer in the title race, while the injury to McGregor is another one, giving Rangers real hope of securing a memorable win next month and gatecrashing eight-in-a-row.