Callum McGregor knows criticism would come with Rangers loss
Callum McGregor knows Celtic could win the treble but still face criticism for their season if they suffer a third consecutive defeat against Rangers.
The champions are 17 points clear in the William Hill Premiership after clinching their fourth consecutive title with a 5-0 win at Dundee United on Saturday.
They beat Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final and will clinch a sixth treble in nine seasons if they win against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.
Brendan Rodgers' side also progressed to a Champions League knockout tie for the first time in 12 years.
But Rangers have won the last two derbies, scoring six goals in the process, and McGregor knows questions will be asked if they do not get a result at Ibrox on Sunday.
"That's the nature of playing football in Scotland and in Glasgow," the midfielder said.
"You can only have one team that's doing well and that's the optics of it. That's the bit you need to live with and you have to understand it as well.
"We could finish the season with three trophies and if we lose the game on Sunday, then people will interpret it as being a bad season.
"That's a bit silly, but it's part of what you have to live with being a player for Rangers or Celtic.
"Everything rides on these games and the players understand that.
"We've suffered in the last couple, so we want to try and put the record straight from our point of view.
"In football, you can't please everyone, but you want to prove as many doubters wrong as possible and that's the bit that the players enjoy as well.
"So we know what's riding on the game and we have to try and do everything we can.
"If we don't get the result, then it's not because we haven't done our job, so that's the bit I'm trying to get at.
"We want to give a good account of ourselves and if we can go and win the game, brilliant. If not, then at least we've given a really strong account of ourselves and something's happened that's been out of our control.
"But the intention is to go and win the game."
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