Callum McGregor

i think we all would have wished he played the other night, talented boy and hope he gets even more starts this term, i just feel theres loads to come from him, dont think hes anywhere near hit his peak we've just had flashes

 

Rodgers has been pleased with how McGregor has progressed since he arrived last summer and revealed that his versatility – he can play a variety of different positions across defence and in midfield – make him an invaluable member of the Celtic squad.

“He’s a player who can play in every position,” he said. “He’s a seven or eight out of ten in any position. You need players with an understanding of the game and he has that. I’ve seen his confidence grow.”

"He contributed in the big games. Wherever I ask him to play and how often I ask him to play he’s always there for us.

“He never misses training, available for every game. He can play wide inside or as a number 10 and does a great job.

“You need that type of player to play in various positions and it keeps the squad small. He can play left, right or centre and is really multi-functional. You need one or two of those players in every team.”

Rodgers added: “A lot of Celtic players are judged on Rangers games and for him to perform as well as he did could be seen as a defining moment for him.

“Young players coming through are judged more harshly and he was outstanding in that game. In the semi-final against Rangers he showed great composure to score and he was fantastic in that game.

“In the run-in he was excellent. It’s nice that a young player feels a part of it. When you come through the age groups it can be harder, but he’s been an outstanding player.”

 

Good news that he's signed,

 

Signing a new Celtic contract, Callum McGregor was transported back in time to the panelled Parkhead office where he penned his first deal at the age of 13.

And the guiding hand of the late Tommy Burns on his shoulder.

'When I signed the new contract I signed it in the little room just off the boardroom. It was the first time I'd been in there since the day I sat with Tommy and my parents to sign my first pro-youth contract,' he reflects now.



He continued: 'Because it was the first time I had been back in the room it was a nice feeling. I actually felt a bit emotional at the time.

'I texted my mum and mentioned it to her and she said it was nice to see how far I have come in the years since.

'It's a proud moment for me to tie my future down at the club where I've spent the bulk of my career.'




McGregor's links with Celtic stretch back 16 years. By the end of his new deal in 2021, he'll have spent over half of his life donning a green and white shirt to play football. The journey which began at the home of Cumbernauld Juniors in 2001 is not over yet.

'I still remember the trial, driving to it with my dad at the age of eight.

'Brian Meehan was the head of youth, Mark Millar was the coach and Tommy Burns was over-seeing it.

'I was actually a left-winger back in those days, a tricky winger, I don't know where that went…But Tommy was a massive influence for me coming all the way through. He would be at first-team training during the day then come to supervise us at 6pm.

'We would still be there at 10pm practicing free-kicks. He wouldn't let us go home. He was just that kind of guy, he loved football dearly. To come through from the age of eight means something to me.'


Left-back Kieran Tierney has become the poster Bhoy for the younger fans, the kid who would be travelling to games on a Wishaw Emerald Supporters bus if he wasn't playing for his boyhood idols.

McGregor, by contrast, tends to 'sail under the radar' (his own words), rarely attracting the plaudits his progress deserves. Yet his Celtic roots run deep, from east-end boy, to ball boy, to first-team regular.

'Celtic is pretty much all I have known in terms of football. Being from the east end of Glasgow it is a massive thing for me. The fans are always on about Kieran. But I am just happy to go under the radar.

'I am enjoying every minute of it here. I love the fans, I love the club, the manager is brilliant, it is a great place to be. Everything is going well.


He added: 'I'm from Easterhouse originally, then we moved to Springboig.

'I was always playing games as a young kid, but then when I moved into Celtic at nine or ten I started ball-boying at Champions League games. I did all the big Champions League games.

'I remember the Nakamura free-kick against Manchester United in the Champions League (in 2006). I was on the sidelines that night to the right of the dug-out.'

His proximity to the Champions League action is closer these days. He failed to start Tuesday's defeat to PSG, but is highly valued enough to join Scott Brown and Jozo Simunovic in signing a new Celtic contract. When Brendan Rodgers arrived, it was natural to fear McGregor might not make the cut. Natural, but quite wrong.

'It's been a progression ever since I broke into the first team, step by step. I probably think of last season and the game at Ibrox when I scored against Rangers. That was probably the moment when I thought: 'You know what, that's me here….'

'Everybody begins to give you respect as a first-team player. Your team-mates respect you as well.'


Resting on laurels is not an option. A 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain was a humbling, sobering experience for Celtic's players. Inflicting results of that magnitude on domestic rivals is not unusual. Being on the receiving end is. PSG didn't play a different game; they played a different sport.

'I was a wee bit disappointed that I wasn't involved, but there are plenty of games. There are 60 games a season so I'm sure I'llbe playing in other games. I have just got to take it on the chin and move on and try and do well in training and get in the team again.'

 

Callum speaking about the new deal.

https://mobile.twitter.com/CelticLisboa/status/908646603917053952/video/1

 

Excellent news, he has proved himself as more than just a decent squad player.

 

Brendan is spot on about his importance to the squad, even if he isn't a guaranteed pick.

Alex Ferguson is a classic one for it. Phil Neville, John O'Shea, Jonny Evans were all versatile players who knew what the club meant. Very rarely first choice but massive for the squad in several positions. You're talking over 1000 games there I bet.

I'm not saying McGregor won't ever be a first pick, but when he isn't he's still vital for us. For a start we don't need a left back on the bench

 

Interview with Callum after he signed his new deal
https://streamable.com/dfbmq

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/CelticGoals/status/910602667839381505/video/1

 

Fantastic finish.

 

What a finish

 

https://twitter.com/celticfc/status/910602301399797760

* *

 

Such a great option from the bench.

 

Really does give us something different, and steps up anytime he is asked to do a job. The wee man is a class act.

 

Said to my brother soon as I see him on Sinclair's outside, goal..

Just knew he'd finish it..

Brought a tempo to our play late when the game was dying out..

Lucky with that challenge though. Really late. McGowan done him a big favour..

 

Great finish.

 

Strachan needs all the Celtic players he can get