CALLUM McGregor has welcomed the decision to bring the winter break forward – even though it means Celtic could be without Kyogo Furuhashi and Tom Rogic when they next face Rangers.

The SPFL announced on Wednesday night that they had bowed to the wishes of the majority of cinch Premiership clubs and agreed to shut down following the Boxing Day games.

The move came after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon capped crowds for outdoor events at 500 for three weeks from Sunday due to a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.

Celtic are hopeful the increased coronavirus restrictions will be relaxed and more fans allowed inside stadiums by the time the top flight resumes on January 17.

The Premiership game against their city rivals at Parkhead has been pushed back from Sunday, January 2, to Wednesday, February 2, as a result.

But it means that Ange Postecoglou could be without his leading scorer Furuhashi and on-form playmaker Rogic for the encounter with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.

Japan are due to play Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier the day before - and Australia are also set to take on Oman in a Qatar 2022 third round fixture on that date.

However, McGregor has admitted he would rather play the derby with thousands of supporters in attendance and is in favour of the switch. 

“The fans are essential,” he said. “We need the supporters and the atmosphere. We’ve played behind closed doors before and no one likes it.

“It’s important to give it as much time as possible to get the fans back in. There’s a massive financial incentive to clubs as well to have supporters there and this gives us three or four weeks to try to push for it.”

McGregor, who will attempt to help Celtic bounce back from their 0-0 draw with St Mirren on Wednesday night when they play St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park tomorrow, also feels having deserted grounds is not a good advertisement for Scottish football.  

“You saw it last season behind closed doors,” he said. “It’s just not the same. Even with limited supporters it’s not the same either. 

“As a product, Scottish football needs as many supporters in as possible for these big games. You’ve also got Hibs v Hearts, the Dundee Derby, as well as Celtic and Rangers.

“We want to promote the product and I’m hoping we can do that once we get back after the New Year.”