Celtic goalscorer Callum McGregor has revealed the extent to which the Parkhead side were motivated by Rangers’ reaction to the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final draw.

When the draw was made it was revealed by Rangers manager Graeme Murty that the Ibrox players has cheered the news that they would be taking on Celtic.

There proved to be little in the way to get excited about for the Ibrox side at Hampden on Sunday afternoon as Celtic steamrolled their way into the final with an emphatic 4-0 win and McGregor, who netted the second of the day, felt that the Parkhead side had a point to make.

“We were excellent,” he told Celtic TV. “To win 4-0 in a semi-final makes us well deserved winners.

“They cheered the draw, they fancied it, but you have got to show up in the big games and we did that.

“The draw is made and you think, ok be respectful. Everyone is excited, it is a big derby but it is disrespectful and that annoyed the players. We were really here to prove a point. You can’t do that. You can’t cheer the draw and we turned up on the big stage and beat them.”

Scotland internationalist Russell Martin was at fault as McGregor netted his goal and the Celtic midfielder revealed he guessed through the positioning of the Ibrox player that the ball could be set to land at his feet.

“I seen the cross going in and I seen his body shape and thought he might have scuffed it,” explained McGregor, who netted in the same fixture at Hampden a year ago. “I just tried to take the chance and get in there. It fell perfectly and I have got a great finish and it has nestled into the far post.”

The midfielder believes that between now and May, the Celtic players will be fighting for a place in that Cup final squad as Motherwell await.

However, he has maintained that the game against the Fir Park side and the chance to create a historic achievement of a back-to-back treble will be put on hold until the league title is formally secured.

“It will be unbelievable,” he said. “First and foremost we need to try and tie the league up and get the three points we need.

“Everyone will be desperate to play in it and desperate to win it. It could be another great season for us.”

Australian playmaker Tom Rogic set Celtic up for the day when he netted the opening goal and McGregor has lauded the midfielder’s mentality.

“You can tell he is a big game player,” he said. “He thrives on the big occasion and again he has popped up with a great goal, a great piece of skill and finish. He is such an important player for us and I am delighted he is back in and scoring goals.”