Injured Callum McGregor keen to make strong return

CELTIC midfielder Callum McGregor believes he can replicate his flying start to last season despite being delayed by injury

McGregor in action for Celtic against Legia Warsaw. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The 22-year-old broke his ankle in a training-ground accident in late April and will not join in with his team-mates again for a few more weeks.

But McGregor feels his spell on the sidelines has given him fresh impetus to get back in Ronny Deila’s thoughts and make the impact he did at the start of last term, when he scored three goals in the Champions League qualifiers.

McGregor told Celtic TV: “I’ve been doing a bit in the gym and hopefully I should be out running next week. It’s coming along well and hopefully I’ll be back soon.

“It was just a freak accident in training, you can’t legislate for that.

“It’s disappointing but it happened at a good time because I should be back in three or four weeks.

“I’ve been injured before and it gives you time to think about other things and once you get back then you’re bang at it and ready to go.

“Obviously it’s disappointing at the time but it gives you more focus when you get back to try that wee bit extra and run that wee bit harder.”

McGregor netted on his Celtic debut against KR Reykjavik last July and also on his league debut against St Johnstone.

He made 21 starts in all last season, including 11 in Europe, and 31 first-team appearances, but he had dropped down the ranks before his injury.

However, he believes he can make himself a firm part of the manager’s plans again.

McGregor, who scored 14 goals on loan at Notts County in 2013-14, said: “I had a great start and hopefully I can get myself as fit as I can as quickly as possible and get myself back involved.

“Last year I was involved in the qualifiers and it was a great experience. I will miss the first two but hopefully I can get back involved after that.”