MX23RW : Friday, March 29 05:29:23| >> :600:821851:821851:

Celtic's Callum McGregor refusing to give up title race

Celtic are playing catch up and relying on their rivals slipping up.

Callum McGregor acknowledged that Celtic's bid for a 10th successive Scottish Premiership title is out of their hands but refused to give up hope.

The Hoops are 21 points behind Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the table with three games in hand but with the Ibrox side yet to taste defeat in 23 league matches.

Ahead of the home game against Livingston on Saturday, where Celtic will again field a makeshift side due to Covid-19 issues, McGregor, who will be captain in the absence of Scott Brown, said: "We have to try to stay as positive as we can.

"We know it is a big task now. We are going to have to win every game and still look for a couple of favours as well.

"We know it is a difficult task but we know we can't lose hope or lose faith, or anything like that, we have to keep fighting.

"You never know in football, things can change very quickly like they have done and I have seen it happen many times.

"We have to, as a club, look forward in a positive way and get back to winning football matches."

Boss Neil Lennon, his assistant John Kennedy and 13 first-team players are still self-isolating as close contacts of injured Christopher Jullien who was confirmed to have contracted Covid-19 after returning from a training camp in Dubai.

A weakened Celtic side drew 1-1 with Hibernian on Monday night and now face a Livi team that have won eight in a row since David Martindale took over from Gary Holt.

McGregor said: "Obviously it has been a difficult week for the club, a lot of things up the air.

"Jullien tested positive and there were concerns there right away to see if he is OK and feeling well.

"That is the first thing. Thankfully he is OK, he hasn't got any symptoms which is good.

"It is just counting the days to get the boys back in."

ID:430724: cacheID:430724:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3451:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
David Martindale: 'Celtic have a fantastic squad'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic30225371234871
2RangersRangers29231564164870
3Hearts3017493930955
4Kilmarnock30111183933644
5St Mirren30126123637-142
6Hibernian30911104145-438
7Dundee2999114050-1036
8Motherwell30711124147-632
9Aberdeen3079143348-1530
10St Johnstone30610142141-2028
11Ross County3069152851-2327
12Livingston3038192052-3217


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!