Callum McGregor said the prolonged wait for the Scottish Cup final has only increased Celtic’s appetite for a taste of more silverware as the team look to clinch a fourth successive treble.

Celtic will arrive at Hampden on Sunday (December 20) to face Hearts in the final which was originally due to take place in May at the end of the 2019/20 season.

McGregor admitted having to wait an additional seven months to play the final has made Celtic all the more determined to clinch their 12th consecutive domestic trophy.

“It sounds a bit surreal,” said McGregor. “It’s never been done before. To maintain that level of success takes real hard work and dedication. That work ethic to come in and when the big days come along you play well enough and earn the right to win the game. We are definitely hungry to try to finish it off on Sunday.

“We’re finishing off last year’s competition, which is strange in that sense but we know it’s a big game and a cup final so you have to prepare the same way. We’ve been doing that this week. Training’s been excellent and we are really looking forward to this game.

“It’s in the back of your head. If it was the end of last season, it’s a grandstand finish and that experience.

'We’ve had to wait a while for it so that makes us hungrier to finish off in a good way.'

If Neil Lennon’s side can repeat their victory against Hearts in the 2018/19 Scottish Cup final, Celtic will have clinched a Quadruple Treble. McGregor said Celtic’s experience in knowing what it takes to achieve a treble will be a huge advantage in Sunday’s game.

“We’ve been in this situation before,” said the Hoops midfielder. “We did the double and treble treble which had never been done. With those achievements it makes you a lot calmer in the build-up, it gives you that hunger to succeed and to have that history behind you makes you hungrier for success.

"There’s pressure when you go into every game with Celtic, having had those experiences before certainly stands you in good stead. Especially in the build-up for having those experiences.

“It’s a massive opportunity to make history. When you’re a young kid aspiring to be a footballer, these are the situations you want to be in. It takes an incredible amount of dedication and hard work. We have to treat it like every other game. We’ve trained well this week and everyone’s more excited than nervous.”

McGregor: Waiting for this final has only made us hungier