Callum McGregor will look to play his way into the Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden next month after winning a reprieve from his manager.

The 22-year-old midfielder netted his second goal in as many games at Firhill on Saturday afternoon and he is in no mood to relinquish his first-team jersey.

McGregor was removed from Ronny Deila’s squad as he faced a drink-driving charge but having accepted a one-year ban and a £500, he was brought back into the fray.

Grateful for the second chance, McGregor now has his heart set on keeping his place for the game at Hampden.

“It would be amazing to be involved in that game,” he said “Last season I was with the squad at Hampden for the League Cup semi-final against Rangers but I wasn’t involved in it.

“To get the chance to be part of it is on the minds of everyone in the team just now but the only way to be in there with a chance is to keep doing it on the pitch.

“I am a Glasgow boy and playing against Rangers is massive. I would love the chance to get in there at Hampden, but there is a fair bit of football to be played and I know that I need to do my talking on the park.”

In the meantime, Celtic’s concentration is with the league where Aberdeen continue to breathe down their necks.

Celtic went four points clear at the top before the Dons had kicked off at Pittodrie on Saturday but having won 2-1 against Kilmarnock, the gap remains at a solitary point, albeit that Celtic have a game in hand.

“Aberdeen are a good team and they are pushing us all the way,” he said. “It is up to us to keep our focus and make sure that we are giving our all.

“Being part of a side that won a fifth successive title would be special for me and I want to help make sure there are no more slip-ups between now and the end of the season.”

And McGregor has also admitted that he feared his Celtic career was over after his drink-driving shame last month.

“I had some dark days after it,” he said. “I was so disappointed in myself.

“It was a hard thing to take and I needed to try and get my head around it. It was an awful time.

“But while I thought that might be it for me in terms of my Celtic career, the manager came and out an arm around me and told me that I had to have a think and then try to lift myself.

“He told me it was stupid but that the most important thing I take out of it is a lesson.

“I am so grateful that I have been handed another chance and I am desperate to take it.”