‘The best version of Celtic’ McGregor makes his demands as standards crash

Callum McGregor has delivered an unexpected challenge to the Celtic board.

Putting the club captain up for a media conference at this time of the season is usually a safe bet.

After a lifetime at Celtic McGregor knows how the media operates. As captain for five seasons no-one is on media duties more often.

This season has been a disaster almost from day one. Top scorers were sold without being replaced, Kairat Almaty ended Champions League hopes, a cup final was lost to St Mirren with eight defeats so far in the SPFL.

The burden on McGregor has grown by the week.

Tellingly in his interview he used the phrase ‘best version of Celtic’. That sounds close to one of the phrases being used by the Celtic Fans Collective.

McGregor signed a five year contract in 2023 when Brendan Rodgers returned as manager. This year there has been three changes of management.

MCGREGOR WATCHES STANDARDS FALL AT CELTIC

Over the last two seasons Celtic have sold Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn. Only Arne Engels has been a like for like replacement with the Belgian expected to be sold this summer.

McGregor has looked on at the reduced quality in the dressing room, the uncertainty over the management of the team.

Yesterday he expressed those frustrations in a manner that doesn’t require any interpretation.

Looking at the current state of the club The Sun reports the Celtic captain saying:

We’ve already had that conversation. I’ve made my feelings known that I want to be here — so it’s kind of on the club.

I’ve always been the same. I want to be at  Celtic  — as long as the club want me there and as long as the club’s ambition matches my own in terms of playing any the highest level.

For probably half the time I’ve been here, we’ve been playing in the  Champions League  or been in the  Europa League, which is a really good standard of  football  as well.

We have to continue to push and be as good as we can possibly be. I don’t want to sit here and be a Celtic captain who’s not winning anything.

I’ve been very honest with everyone in that conversation. The people inside the club know it.

If we’re not going to be the best version of Celtic then I don’t want to be the guy who’s not winning any trophies. That’s not me and not who I am.

But if you are going to push, I don’t think there are many more people who would put themselves in the firing line more than me, in terms of what they deliver for the club, what they do, and what they’re willing to do to bring success.

I don’t ever, ever question that because I know how hard it is and I know what you have to do to be successful here as a leader and player.

But you need all the other components to match up with that as well.

I want to be here — that’s obvious. But it has to match up with the club, 100 per cent. They need to be the same.

The minute Celtic don’t want me here then I’ll be moved on, it’s as simple as that. But my stance on it — and I’ve told everyone this — is that I want to be here.

Since sacking Wilfried Nancy on January 5 there has been no comment from Celtic on their next permanent manager.

Six days after Andoni Iraola revealed that he was leaving Bournemouth the club announced Marcus Rose as his successor. A club with a plan, on the front foot and always looking ahead.

Martin O’Neill is likely to be asked for his thoughts on McGregor’s demands when he faces the media this afternoon.

NOTE: 12 months ago Celtic were League Cup holders, had just retained the SPFL title, were Scottish Cup finalists and lost 3-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the Last 16 Play Off of the Champions League, losing out to an 88th minute goal in the second leg.

Celtic lost this season’s League Cup to St Mirren, are Scottish Cup finalists, third in the SPFL and lost 4-2 to Stuttgart in the Last 16 Play Off to the Europa League. The Germans won the first leg 4-1 at Celtic Park.