Celtic’s Callum McGregor found himself the focus of Rangers’ aggressive game plan, a tactic encouraged by former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson.

Before the match, Ferguson had suggested that Rangers players should resort to fouling McGregor to limit his influence on the game.

According to stats from FutMob, McGregor was indeed fouled six times during the match, more than any other player on the pitch.

Despite the physical challenges, McGregor’s performance was nothing short of outstanding. He orchestrated Celtic’s play, contributed with an assist, and was heavily involved throughout, touching the ball 93 times. His precision in passing was also notable, with an impressive 93% completion rate, also the highest on the park.

Celtic’s overall dominance in the game was evident, though the narrow 2-1 scoreline might not fully reflect their superiority. The tactic to disrupt McGregor’s rhythm through fouls did not deter the Celtic captain; instead, he thrived under pressure, driving his team forward and playing a key role in their victory.