(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Fri 20 March 2026 17:00, UK

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor could be fit to return to the starting XI for Sunday’s trip to face Dundee United.

The 32-year-old missed the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers and the victory over Motherwell last weekend with a calf injury, but it is understood that he is now “winning his battle” to be fit to feature at Tannadice this weekend.

Martin O’Neill has plenty of options available to him ahead of his team’s next crucial Scottish Premiership assignment, and the veteran boss could be about to shuffle the pack for the trip.

The Bhoys play the final game of the weekend in the Premiership, while Hearts and Rangers both get the chance to strike a key blow in the title race on Saturday.

Celtic travel to face Dundee United hoping to erase the memories of the 2-1 defeat under Wilfried Nancy earlier in the season, and they know that a win could take them top of the table if Hearts drop points on Saturday.

Daizen Maeda makes way as Auston Trusty returns

Celtic face consecutive trips to Dundee in the final weeks before the upcoming league split, with a clash against United first on the agenda this weekend.

O’Neill is “increasingly hopeful” that McGregor will be able to return to the XI on Sunday, according to The Scottish Sun, and if the skipper is fit, then it could spell bad news for Reo Hatate.

The Japan international’s performances have taken a welcome upturn in recent weeks, but he could be set to drop to the bench this time around after starting the last three games.

Elsewhere in the side, O’Neill will surely turn to experience at the heart of his defence with Auston Trusty set to return from his suspension.

Benjamin Arthur has provided capable cover for the American in recent weeks, but he will surely make way for his counterpart to come back in from the off.

Daizen Maeda led the line in last week’s win over Motherwell, but he could revert back to the left-wing role to make way for Tomas Cvancara to start up front, after he scored as a substitute last time out.

Celtic benefit from turning point in title race

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that he thinks Celtic’s comeback to draw 2-2 with Rangers could be the turning point in the title race.

The Scottish businessman has revealed that he is backing O’Neill and his team to get over the line and claim the trophy at the end of the campaign, while he also outlined that he doesn’t think Rangers will recover from the “mental blow” of not winning that game.

Danny Rohl’s side dominated the first half at Ibrox and held a 2-0 lead at the time, only for a Hatate-inspired Celtic to mount a second-half comeback and equalise in stoppage-time.

The Gers face Aberdeen in another crucial game this weekend, and with all of the top three now within three points of each other in the table, it has the potential to be a pivotal round of fixtures.