Celtic FC captain Callum McGregor has firmly dismissed recent speculation regarding a potential move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah, expressing his unwavering commitment to the team. The 32-year-old midfielder, who has made an impressive 555 appearances for Celtic since his debut in 2014, is determined to guide the club back to the top of Scottish football.
McGregor’s comments come amid reports linking him with a reunion with former manager Brendan Rodgers. When questioned about the rumors, he stated, “No, no, I’m here,” reinforcing his intention to remain with Celtic. Currently, the team sits in third place in the Scottish Premiership, trailing league leaders Hearts by six points and rivals Rangers by two points.
Celtic’s season has been tumultuous, characterized by managerial changes and fan protests regarding the club’s board and perceived lack of investment. The team has seen three different managers this season, with Rodgers resigning in October and Martin O’Neill returning for a second interim stint after Wilfried Nancy’s brief tenure. Despite these challenges, McGregor emphasized his desire to lead Celtic through this difficult period.
McGregor’s Determination to Restore Celtic’s Glory
Reflecting on the team’s struggles, McGregor conveyed a sense of urgency and resilience. “Even more determined, even more,” he said. “Because of what’s happened. We’ve had a difficult spell, we’re used to winning, then things don’t go your way.” He underscored the importance of demonstrating a winning mentality, stating, “Now you have to show everyone that you want to be a winner and you want to stay and you want to fight and you want to make the club successful.”
Celtic has dominated Scottish football, winning 10 of the last 11 top-flight titles. Despite trailing both Hearts and Rangers this season, McGregor remains optimistic about the team’s potential to “rectify” their current position. He stated, “We have to keep believing. Everyone’s here to fight every single day. It’s tighter probably than potentially what it has been for the last few years, but we have to relish that challenge as well.”
The captain acknowledged the need for collective effort to achieve success, saying, “We’ll need everyone – every player, every staff member, every supporter – pushing in the right direction to make sure that we get what we want come the end of the season.”
Recruitment Concerns Ahead of Transfer Window Closure
With the January transfer window closing next week, McGregor expressed confidence that the club will secure the reinforcements required to enhance their squad. He recognized the significance of recruitment this season, particularly following the departures of key forwards Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo, along with injuries to Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Alistair Johnston.
Recent loan signings Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara made an impact in their debut match at Tynecastle, with Cvancara assisting in Celtic’s second goal. McGregor remarked, “Obviously, there’s been a big thing made about it (recruitment), this season especially, but I think every season you need to keep strengthening, keep trying to make the team better and the squad better.”
He concluded by stressing the necessity for additional quality in the squad, confident that the management will address these needs before the transfer window closes. As Celtic aims to reclaim their position in Scottish football, McGregor’s leadership and determination will be pivotal in overcoming the obstacles ahead.
