Within the speedy aftermath of Celtic’s Champions League goalless draw at Dinamo Zagreb in December, captain Callum McGregor was requested what number of titles he had gained, only for the report.
He hesitated for a cut up second, which spoke volumes, earlier than answering: “22, I believe.”
“You aren’t getting to the place you have to by chasing the numbers or chasing that kind of standing,” he added.
“I am humble sufficient to know I am very fortunate to play at this membership and to have the profession I’ve had. I’ve finished that by laborious work and attempting to be the perfect I can day by day.
“Nothing adjustments for me.”
Nothing a lot does change. Successful titles has gone hand in hand with McGregor’s time at Celtic.
For the report, these feedback got here days earlier than the Scottish League Cup closing, through which Celtic edged previous Rangers on penalties.
It is now 23 medals for the Celtic captain, as he ready to make his five hundredth look for the membership towards Motherwell.
Stage on accolades with the nice Billy McNeil, he’ll probably surpass that quickly sufficient.
Contributing from the beginning
With a contract till 2028, McGregor’s affect – and trophy haul – reveals no signal of relenting as he closes in on the highest of the all-time Celtic medal winners’ checklist.
Solely James Forrest and Bobby Lennox stay above him on 25, with Lennox and McNeil, after all, winners of the most important of all in 1967.
McGregor’s season-long mortgage spell, aged 20, at Notts County is properly documented. That have performed an enormous half in forming the participant he would change into.
The midfielder was instrumental in guiding them to survival in English soccer’s third tier, ending high scorer, enjoying alongside one other loanee, England worldwide Jack Grealish.
Inside months, he returned to Glasgow and scored a late winner on his Celtic debut in a Champions League qualifying away win over KR Reykjavik.
Development to the latter phases of the Champions League had eluded him all through his Celtic profession, till latest weeks. He is ticked that one off too.
Now, if accessible, he’ll lead Celtic right into a two-legged play-off towards German giants Bayern Munich in mid-February, chasing a last-16 place.
Key man for succession of managers
With 499 appearances, 71 targets and a trophy haul that features 5 trebles, McGregor has been a Celtic managers’ dream.
His presence has coincided with an unbelievable run of success, the one main blip being Rangers stopping a landmark 10 League titles in a row in 2021.
He is in his second spell below Brendan Rodgers having beforehand performed below Ronny Deila, Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou. A key man for all.
His significance was maybe highlighted 2018/19 season as Celtic clinched the a 3rd consecutive treble.
By the top of that marketing campaign McGregor had performed extra minutes of aggressive soccer than some other participant in world soccer. Undroppable.
Current phrases of his present boss Rodgers sum up McGregor’s function, notably since inheriting the captaincy from Scott Brown.
“He is the beating coronary heart of the staff”. He stays so.
