Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor will hope that his utility tag will enhance his chances of staying in the Hoops starting line-ups this term.

McGregor deputised for Kieran Tierney at Hampden in the William Hill Scottish Cup final at left-back and can play a variety of positions in the middle of the park.

And while McGregor joked that every time Celtic sign a player it seems to be one who performs in the central pastures, he is nevertheless confident in his own ability to hold down a place.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers backs Leigh Griffiths but tells him to use his head to stay in Celtic team

“If you want to wear that Celtic jersey then you have to be at it every week,” said McGregor. “There are new players coming in which means good competition.

“It always seems to be midfielders as well! But that is life here. The manager will always bring in players to improve the squad. It is up to each of us to work hard – and if you don’t want to do that then you won’t play. That is the mentality you need to be at Celtic.

“The way we play the game, with high intensity, you need a lot of bodies. You need boys to come in fresh and able to make an impact, like last season.

“As long as we have a big squad and the competition is good, then we can see how far we can go.

“If you can play in a few different positions, then you have more chance of being picked. Ultimately, it helps your chances.

“You saw it in the Scottish Cup Final - when KT went off injured, instead of bringing a defender on, the manager put me back there. I did alright - apart from that one mistake which almost cost us a goal!”

Read more: Brendan Rodgers backs Leigh Griffiths but tells him to use his head to stay in Celtic team

Meanwhile, McGregor has insisted that Celtic will look to put on a professional and discipline performance against Linfield this evening as the Hoops looks to prepare for the next round.

Dundalk or Rosenborg await but there is a fair chance that if and when the Parkhead side progress that Leigh Griffiths will find himself sidelined after being charged by UEFA.

“It’s now Uefa’s problem,” said McGregor. “Leigh has been charged with it, we need to wait and see the outcome of it.

“It is a heated environment. Things were said, things we done. As players, we are trying to put it past us. We just want to focus on the football.

“He plays on the edge. You know what he’s like, he kind of boils over at times. But you don’t want to take that away from him because it helps him as a player as well.

“We just need to move on and see what comes out of it.”