Celtic star Callum McGregor welcomes competition to the starting XI at Parkhead as Ismaila Soro closes in on a deal.

The Ivorian midfielder has been tracked by scouts of the Scottish champions and is poised to join the club later this week.

McGregor is not fazed at the prospect of another player fit for the engine room alongside himself, Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham, Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic. If anything he is excited at another player arriving to keep everyone on their toes.

"It’s always important at big clubs to get competition in places and always healthy for the dressing room," McGregor said. "The more quality players we get in will drive the quality up."

Celtic stuttered to a 2-1 win over Partick Thistle last weekend but McGregor was pleased to simply get through the tie and into the next round - where Clyde await. "Away games are difficult," he added. "We'll approach that with the same attitude and mentality. We'll go there and try to win.

"Cup competitions are always difficult. You have to turn up and play well. It's a good record we've got and we want to continue that. It's something we are proud of, worked hard for and don't want to give up."