Celtic's McGregor Fit for Cup Semifinal with Managed Minutes

Celtic captain Callum McGregor will be available for Sunday's Scottish Cup semifinal against St Mirren at Hampden Park, though manager Martin O'Neill plans to limit his playing time to protect the midfielder from further aggravating a lingering muscular injury.

McGregor, 32, has featured in all but two of Celtic's 52 matches this season despite nursing calf and Achilles issues. He recently withdrew from selection for key games, including the Scottish Cup quarterfinal against Rangers and a league match against Motherwell, deeming himself unfit to perform at the required level. O'Neill noted that McGregor pulled out voluntarily for the team's benefit, but the player now feels capable of contributing. "Callum McGregor is not any worse, that's good news," O'Neill said. "He wants to play, and it's a matter of maybe X number of minutes for him again this week." The manager emphasized that he would bench McGregor if advised, but trusts the captain's assessment, while cautioning the risks amid Celtic's tight Premiership title race, where they trail by three points with five games remaining.

The semifinal offers Celtic a chance at redemption following their 3-1 League Cup final loss to...