CELTIC midfielder Callum McGregor believes he can replicate his flying start to last season despite being delayed by injury.
The 22-year-old broke his ankle in a training-ground accident in late April and will not join in with his team-mates again for a few more weeks, but he feels his spell on the sidelines has given him fresh impetus to get back into manager Ronny Deila's thoughts and make the impact he did at the start of last term, when he scored three goals in the Champions League qualifiers.
"I've been doing a bit in the gym and I should be out running next week," he told Celtic TV. "It's coming along well and, hopefully, I'll be back soon.
"It was just a freak accident in training. You can't legislate for that.
"It's disappointing, but it happened at a good time because I should be back in three or four weeks.
"I've been injured before and it gives you time to think about other things. Once you get back, you're bang at it and ready to go.
"Obviously, it's disappointing at the time, but it gives you more focus when you get back to try that wee bit extra and run that wee bit harder."
McGregor netted on his Celtic debut against KR Reykjavik last July and also on his league debut against St Johnstone.
He made 21 starts in all last season, including 11 in Europe, and 31 first-team appearances, but he had dropped down the ranks before his injury.
"Last year, I was involved in the Champions League qualifiers and it was a great experience," he said. "I will miss the first two, but I hope I can get back involved after that."
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