McGregor dreaming of joint celebration with Hearts

Lee McGregor is hoping to see a dream double come true on 16 May – for himself and his beloved Hearts.

The Jambos travel to face Celtic on the final day of the Premiership season and could clinch the club's first top-flight title in 66 years.

Later that evening McGregor will be in the ring for his lightweight bout against Michael Gomez Jr in Doncaster.

"The Sunday parade in Gorgie on the 17th of May, I'm already visualising it, it's going to be unbelievable," McGregor told BBC Scotland.

"We can both do it, there's no question, there's no doubt about that at all. We've both got massive tasks ahead of us to get that over the line, but how good would that be for Hearts, the area, me as a die-hard Jambo?

"I'm going to do everything I can to bring that belt up and get on that bus for that league trophy on the parade on the Sunday. It's just giving me the extra motivation as well, it's pinch yourself stuff if that happens and it's very, very, very doable. Let's see how it pans out."

McGregor has been rebuilding in the year since his devastating knockout defeat to countryman Nathaniel Collins.

In his quest to fulfil his ambition of becoming a world champion, it was a huge setback. McGregor said in the aftermath, he noticed the phone was ringing less, and certain people who had been part of his journey in the good times were suddenly drifting away.

"I've had it all – British, Commonwealth, European champion, sponsor opportunities through the roof, messages, opportunities coming from all angles, the Saudi Arabia fight (when he beat Isaac Lowe on the undercard of Tyson Fury v Oleksander Usyk), everybody was around and it's just a wee blow like that and then you see people's true colours," said the 29-year-old.

"I'm still super grateful because I've got a lot of people who have stuck by me and stuck with me as well, so it's one of them, you've just got to take it on the chin, literally, take it on the chin.

"I've realised I probably could count on one hand the amount of people that I really could rely on, and that's, they know who they are.

"I've realised this, that nobody, no matter who it is, you're going to get your support, but nobody is going to do it for you. I've absolutely dedicated myself to the sport since turning professional, had many blips along the way, but I can confidently say that ahead of this fight I do feel like I'm in a really good place. It's been a long time probably, since I could have said that.