We're ready for Rangers after Hamilton win, says McGregor

Callum McGregor believes Celtic's narrow victory at Hamilton on Sunday will give them a boost ahead of their Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden this week.

McGregor's early opener at New Douglas Park was cancelled out by a Rakish Bingham strike, before Hamilton midfielder Darren Lyon picked up two yellows in quick succession before half time to leave the hosts with 10 men.

However, half-time subsitute Leigh Griffiths headed in the winner a minute after taking to the field to take the Hoops to within one win of their seventh successive Premiership title.

First, however, Celtic will get ready to take on their Old Firm rivals, whom they beat 3-2 at Ibrox in the league last month.

McGregor, on nine goals for the season, said: "In terms of winning games like this one, it will give us more confidence and we know we can go and wrap the league up the week after the Rangers game.

"There was a lot of noise coming from Rangers the last time we played them and that started to turn heads and maybe swung things in their favour going into the game.

"Now we have that confidence. Rangers will be confident as well but we know in the tough situations we can look after ourselves so we will be confident.''

Griffiths took his tally to 98 for Celtic and McGregor would not rule out the possibility of him reaching the 100-mark at Hampden on Sunday.

He said: "You can never bet against Griff, he's that type of player.

"He's a big time player and once he gets one he could get two or three.

"He's the type of boy who just shoots and more often than not it goes into the net.

"Reaching 100 goals would be a special achievement for him and all of the boys will be delighted and proud of him as well.''

Lyon was sent off by referee Andrew Dallas after twice clashing with Kieran Tierney, the first a crunching tackle on the Hoops left-back and the second for throwing him to the ground.

Boss Martin Canning said: "For me it's never a second yellow card.

"With 11 on the pitch though you've still got a chance.

"But as soon as the ref makes that decision then it makes it really difficult to win the game or take something from it.

"I was proud of the players, I thought they worked extremely hard.'

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