Callum McGregor insists top players have to be prepared to play 60 games a season - as he rejected any theories that Rangers ’ manic month in April could affect their rivals’ title challenge.
The Celtic captain is adamant that a potential fixture pile-up due to the Ibrox side’s run to the last eight of the Europa League will make no difference to the closest run title race in more than a decade.
The Ibrox side face a gruelling seven fixtures in less than four April weeks on the home and European fronts.
In contrast the Hoops have five games in the same time - having been knocked out of Europe - as a pulsating Premiership title race heads into the final stage.
Throw in two international fixtures for both sides’ top stars ahead of that spell and it’s gearing up to be a frantic time with an Old Firm triple header in league and Scottish Cup in the midst of it all.
Rangers have wobbled on their return to league duty from European action in recent weeks with draws against Motherwell and Dundee United and on Sunday only an 86th minute Connor Goldson strike was enough to see off bottom of the table Dundee.
In addition Alfredo Morelos was seen icing his thigh after coming off late in the game before heading to join up with Colombia while Ianis Hagi remains out long term and Steven Davis hasn’t played for over a month.
Celtic too have injury concerns with Daizen Maeda pulling out of the Japan squad injured and with Tom Rogic missing for Australia after he hobbled off with an ankle knock in Saturday’s win over Ross County following a crunching tackle from Kayne Ramsay.
Hoops skipper McGregor insists the number of games will not be a factor if Rangers fail to win the league - as players need to be prepared to play 60 games a season if they want to be successful.
He said: “Teams are used to it now. They are in European competitions pretty much every season.
“If you want to do well in these competitions then you have to play every three or four days.
“Players are used to playing 60-plus games a season.
“I don’t see it as a problem at all.
“I can’t speak for them (Rangers) but what we do when we have the European games .. it tests you as a player and makes you a better player.
“Then when you come back to the domestic stuff that’s where you try and show it.”
