Callum McGregor has revealed he missed full training on Friday, instead doing individual work with the physio team, as he continues to nurse a calf complaint ahead of Sunday’s Glasgow Derby.

He wasn’t pictured in training with the players on Friday morning, and injury concerns grew, especially after being subbed off in both of Celtic’s last two matches.

Despite the concern, the Celtic captain remains hopeful of being available against Rangers, saying he plans to train with the squad on Saturday if there’s no setback from his recovery work.

He told Celtic TV on Friday:

“You would have noticed that I was not with the main group today. I’m just trying to step it up – I did a bit of individual work with the physio guys today. Hopefully, I have no reaction and then I will be all good to train tomorrow. If I can train tomorrow, then I will be fit.”

McGregor admitted the club is giving him as much time as possible to prove his fitness, knowing how important he is to the team.

“It’s a calf issue. The club are giving me every chance by leaving it as long as we can to be out on the pitch and ready. It has been a tough week, but I’m doing everything I can to be available for the group.”

With Paulo Bernardo already ruled out, losing McGregor would be a huge blow to Celtic’s midfield.

But with the skipper determined to make it, all eyes will be on Saturday’s training session to see if he comes through unscathed.

Hopefully, he can make it. He brings so much to the game, whether it’s his experience or his goals, which he’s been having a lot of joy with this season. He actually scored against Rangers in the first meeting of the pair this season.

Fans will now be counting down to the team being released on Sunday morning, hoping to see their captain named from the start.