CALLUM McGREGOR believes every Celtic midfielder should target ten goals per season if they want to become a proper asset to the team.

The 22-year-old has six to his name so far and is desperate to reach double figured before this campaign is settled.

Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic have each scored eight, Kris Commons is on nine despite the various ailments which have reduced his game-time, and these figures are actually not too bad and might even come as shock to some who understandably view Leigh Griffiths as the only one chipping in.

Ronny Deila, the Celtic manager, has made mention in recent times that those who are not called Leigh needed to step up to the mark, just as Rogic did with that season-changing goal at Rugby Park when just about all hope had gone.

And McGregor, who is comfortable in any of the three roles behind Griffiths, agreed that when you play for Celtic in any advanced position, then you need to do your bit in terms of scoring.

"If a Celtic midfield player can get 10 goals a season then you make yourself a good asset," said McGregor. "It should be part of most attacking midfielders games that they do chip in with a few goals.

"Leigh has been on fire and scored 35 this season. The other boys need to do their bit and score a few more.

"It’s goals that mark you out as a midfielder. Goals change games. Goals win games. You can have all the great play in the world but it’s what you do in your box and the opposition box which ultimately counts.

"I’ve got six just now and I’m trying to get to 10 this year. If I can get to double figures that could be important for the title race. Personally, that’s my aim and hopefully that can help the boys get a few more points in the run in.

"I think Celtic midfielders should be aiming for at least 10. We’ve got loads of talent in the squad and I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request for the boys to chip in with goals. It’s definitely something we should be looking at."

McGregor has scored some fine individual efforts this season, against Ajax at home and Inverness away the pick of the lot.

When he reels off the names of those players he admired the most growing up, it shows why he feels that while passing, crossing and keeping the ball are all important things to do, putting that ball in the actual net on a regular basis is what the best midfielders are capable of.

He said: "The guys I looked up to? There’s a few. You think of Steven Gerrard when you are younger who I watched on the TV. He scored some big important goals so you try and emulate that when you play. You need to make your own memories but you try and mould your game on a few attacking midfielders.

"Maybe guys like Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard. You’re as well aiming high."

McGregor has had a good season. It helps that Deila is a fan; however, he has deservedly held down his position in recent months, which is no bad achievement given there seems to be another 20 players at Parkhead who can play that role.

"It’s a big squad here and there are a load of good players," he said. "When you get the jersey you need to do everything you can to keep it – that can only breed good competition for places. Ultimately everyone doing their bit in training should mean it comes together nicely on a Saturday.

"It does put a spring in your step when you are in the team. With such a big squad, there’s not much margin for error. When you are going into games you think 'I need to do something to stay in the team for next week’. It’s definitely a good boost for me."

McGregor and Celtic entertain Hearts on Saturday, there have been two draws between the sides so far this season, and then it's a certain match at Hampden.

He missed out on the Rangers game last season and also the title run-in. Both should be a lot closer this time around and therefore more exciting. McGregor fancies being a part of it.

“I’ve made a decent contribution in the last couple of months and I just want to continue doing that," he said. "There are a few big games coming up, so to be involved in them will be great.

“Last season, I played quite a few games at the start but I wasn’t in the team from about February onwards. I fell out of the plans and it was hard to watch when the boys were involved in the run-in. That’s the time of year you want to be involved, so hopefully this time around that can be me.

“I was always confident I could get back into the first team. I knew I had to work hard every day and show the manager what I could do. Me and the manager have a great relationship, so I knew I could get back in eventually."

Callum McGregor was speaking at a Show Racism the Red Card visit to Celtic Park where he and Kris Commons helped deliver an anti-racism educational event to local primary pupils from St Denis’ Primary, St Michael’s Primary and Thorntree Primary.