Celtic captain Callum McGregor has dismissed speculation that this season may be his last in the famous Hoops. The 32-year-old was visibly emotional after Celtic secured the title on Saturday in an enthralling contest with Hearts, who they pipped to the title courtesy of late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand.
Callum McGregor has come under scrutiny this season as Celtic faltered, often due to a threadbare squad exposing frailties. However, the skipper continued to make himself available despite injuries and pushed through and helped deliver the title for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Many have speculated that the emotion that McGregor showed after the final whistle sounded was due to summer exit plans, with a Saudi reunion with Brendan Rodgers touted.
Speaking after the game, as reported by Sun Sport, McGregor dismissed his critics while stating that he will be ready for the qualifiers in the new season.
“Anyone wants to question what I’m doing for the club, then they’re crazy. I’ve been here my whole life, it’s everything to me.
“When the going gets tough, you see people merging into the background, then you see people step forward no matter how hard that may be. You’re the leader of the team.
“So let’s enjoy this title and then see where we get to from here.
“Once the dust settles on this, we need to try and get as much right as we can in the summer, so hopefully the club and the team are in the best position for when the Champions League qualifiers come round.
“This place craves Champions League football, it’s a different place when you don’t have it. So we’ll enjoy the title, we’ll get the cup final out the way next week, hopefully we can finish with two trophies and then the work starts again.
“We don’t just pack up and go home. We keep working.
“When we go again in August, we want to make sure we’re successful, so everyone in the building has to drive to make this place as good as it can be.”
It is reassuring to see McGregor state that he will be ready to go again in August for the new league campaign but the captain will be focusing on getting his hands on more silverware ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Final against former boss Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic.
It remains to be seen who takes over in the Celtic Park dugout ahead of a major summer rebuild. A number of potential managerial candidates have been floated as the club look to decide on their future. McGregor may have some input on who takes over in the summer, given that he was supposedly one of the figures that spoke to the club to inform them that Wilfried Nancy’s reign was not working out while in its infancy.
Given his quality, his standing at the club and his influence, the club should be leaning on McGregor when they are weighing up who should b the next Celtic manager.
One man that should be involved is First Team Coach Mark Fotheringham, who was brought in by MON to work alongside Shaun Maloney at Lennoxtown.
It is clear that the players love Fozzy, with a number of them crediting his personality and his coaching. If it is possible to keep him then it should be something that the club should look at, especially given his strong relationship with CalMac.
Maloney has already stated that he intends to return to his role within the club as First Team Pathways Manager. Although, it is expected that his role is revamped in an attempt by the club to modernise after a bruising year. Maloney has worked with experienced managers as a player and a coach as well as having spells as manager in his own right.
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2 Comments
Calmac has been exceptional in his role as club captain. Playing wise, think that this policy of Calmac expected to play every minute of every game is maybe starting to catch up upon moreso this season imo?
Calmac is at his best, within the role as a playmaker and setting our tempo of play, moreso higher up the pitch. This is becoming harder now, with nearly every team, applying a man marking approach upon himself these days, and the age factor starting to creep into the overall game of Calmac moreso, especially this season imo?
Hardly helps him without good ball playing CBs available for ourselves either?
So think that any potential new manager, will have to discuss what actual playing role, he is looking for from Calmac?
Never going to be a proper defensive midfielder himself, but do we require one, within our team, in how we are going to be set up as a team?
Don’t believe his role as captain needs to be addressed whatsoever, especially with the extra demands he puts into the role outside of just playing and training.
Has been magnificent as a leader, and can inspire teammates also as a player and in how he conducts himself.
As much as I admire Calmac as a player for ourselves, don’t think we are in a position any longer to build our entire team around him either. He is at a stage within his career where he needs more support around him, especially when isolated in his holding midfield role, on to many occasions this season imo?
The plans of a new manager, will determine Calmac future next season regardless. Still believe Calmac has the quality to fit into any potential managerial plans, not entirely sure what that role might be regarded his playing position at present, within how our team is going to be set up all the same?
I think Calmac will still lead the team next season!! Yes he is getting on ,but a player is a player, and he is a player.! If Blessed Martin still wishes to be here next year , then so be it!, why shouldn’t we want him after this season, not once , but twice!, GOYBIG. Let’s go again Bhoys onwards a Saturday, and get the double!, Hail Hail.We have known for a very long time, that no one wanted us to win this league!!tough! The free mason /orange order press just could not hide their bitterness, so very well done Bhoys , let’s go again and rub their noses in it!,,HAIL HAIL.