The moment Brendan Rodgers knew Callum McGregor was back to his Celtic best

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has enjoyed another iNFLuential campaign and will be keen to help the Bhoys claim a third successive title.

Setting the standard in the engine room, McGregor has made 41 appearances for the Bhoys this campaign, registering two goals and five assists across all comPetitions [Transfermarkt].

From his deep-lying position, the Scotland international has played a crucial role in kickstarting offensive moves on Scottish Premiership duty, recording a pass accuracy of 91.5%, creating 45 chances and completing 68 successful long balls, per Fotmob.

Nevertheless, some of his earlier performances since returning from an Achilles problem that kept him out for several weeks led many to question his fitness during the title run-in. It is fair to say that McGregor emphatically responded against Heart of Midlothian last Saturday.

On a day when exuberant Celtic supporters roared their team on to a comprehensive 3-0 victory, the skipper gained one of the biggest cheers of the day.

In the second 45, McGregor ran half the length of the pitch to thwart a Hearts counter-attack by dispossessing Kenneth Vargas before tidying up with an inch-perfect slide-tackle on Cammy Devlin in a challenge that was celebrated like a goal.

Now preparing to face Rangers this weekend, the 30-year-old is a stick-on to start after alleviating any concerns over his match sharpness.

Brendan Rodgers on Callum McGregor being back at full tilt

When Celtic are at full throttle, McGregor is the standard-beared in midfield, dictating the tempo of proceedings alongside key men Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate.

Without his presence, there is a void that is hard for anyone to replicate, though Tomoki Iwata has filled in admirably when needed this campaign, embodying the role of a valuable squad player.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Celtic boss Rodgers revealed McGregor’s determined recovery run against Hearts indicated to him that his captain is now back at the exceptional levels he has shown over the years.

He stated: “Callum’s importance cannot be underestimated with this team, the experience he brings, the quality, the view of the Game and how inspirational a leader he is, so it was really about building him up.

“I felt at that moment when he made that run to challenge not once but twice to win the ball, you actually see what that gives the supporters.

“That’s why the intensity of pressing, the aggression, that sometimes gets a bigger cheer than a pass or a goal, but in that moment, it was fantastic for him and for the team, but also for me looking at him, knowing that’s him really back to the level that he’s shown.”

Celtic now focused on ending the season in style

Celtic have navigated the good and bad this term, which has left them in a position where the end is in sight heading into the Glasgow Derby against Rangers this weekend.

Three points at the weekend would all but guarantee the Scottish Premiership crown due to the permutations of a home victory; meanwhile, a draw would also stand the Bhoys in good stead to finish the job against either Kilmarnock or St Mirren.

McGregor has enjoyed a wealth of success in green and white and will be determined to grab the bull by the horns by securing further silverware at Parkhead.