Callum McGregor insists Celtic ’s flag-chasers are lapping up the title pressure.
And the Parkhead skipper is backing his boys not to wilt through a nerve-shredding end to the championship charge.
Ange Postecoglou ’s troops are three points ahead with nine games to go as they aim to regain the top-flight crown.
McGregor is relishing the tight title tussle as he leads from the front as captain.
But, although he is one of the few in the new-look group who have been over the course and distance in the past, Postecoglou’s on-pitch leader believes the fresh faces are also enjoying being at the heart of a tense flag fight.
McGregor said: “It’s going to be a nervy run-in towards the end. This is what football’s about. That’s what you want. You want the challenge.
“Every single game there is pressure and you have to rise to the pressure, but that’s what it’s like playing at a big club.
“The boys are enjoying it as well. You can see it, even day to day in training. They’re up for it, they’re together, there is good camaraderie.
“It’s just about the players and everybody staying calm and trusting what has got us this far. It works, so we keep doing the right things. Hopefully we will do enough to get there.”
Celtic face another major examination next on Sunday when they head to West Lothian to face Livingston.
David Martindale’s team haven’t lost a goal in two meetings with McGregor’s team this season and are flying high in fourth in the table.
Celtic also have a dismal recent record on the artificial surface at the Tony Macaroni Arena to overcome as they look to stay clear of the chasing pack.
McGregor knows it’s a challenge and said: “We have kind of struggled to pick up results, especially away, so we just try to implement the game model that we want.
“We will look at it over the next couple of days, anticipate what they will do and try to come up with a gameplan to beat that.”
