McGregor admits his Hoops dream fell flat
STAND-IN Celtic skipper Callum McGregor admits he fulfilled a lifetime ambition by leading out the Hoops.
However, the midfielder confessed his team failed to reach their potential as they were held to a goalless draw by St Johnstone on Sunday.
Boss Brendan Rodgers made seven changes to the side which beat Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday, with McGregor taking over the armband from rested captain Scott Brown.
But while the Scotland international was beaming with pride, he could not hide his disappointment. Mixed emotions: McGregor drew on his captaincy debut
“It was a proud moment and something I’ve been working so hard for since I was eight,” McGregor said. “To come through and captain the side was a proud moment but we know we can play a lot better.
“We didn’t really create an- ything other than a few half chances. We’ve got to do better.”
Among those handed the chance to impress was rightback Cristian Gamboa. The Costa Rica international denied his lengthy stint on the sidelines was the reason for the Hoops’ lacklustre showing against Tommy Wright’s men.
“It’s not difficult because we train well and all the guys are ready to play,” he said. “We have 25 players here just waiting.
“He rested a couple of guys and gave opportunities to guys like me. But it was difficult.
“We’ve been on the sidelines for a while so it is good to get 90 minutes under the belt.
“I’m happy we didn’t lose as it was tricky.” A SPANISH court has decided not to pursue a case against the four West Brom players who allegedly stole a taxi in Barcelona last week, according to reports.
Jonny Evans, Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore and Boaz Myhill were involved in an incident while the Baggies were away on a warm-weather training camp and team-bonding exercise.
They were interviewed by local police, but the quartet appear set to escape punishment as there is insufficient evidence to continue with the case, which reports say has been provisionally dismissed but could be reopened if new evidence comes to light. Punished: Jonny Evans was stripped of the captaincy
West Brom were unavailable for comment when contacted.
The four players apologised for breaking a curfew in a collective statement on Friday, but West Brom manager Alan Pardew has said he was left “furious” by the incident.
Events in Barcelona increased the heat on Pardew, whose position has been the subject of speculation in the wake of boardroom upheaval and poor results.
Pardew named both Evans and Barry in his starting line-up for the FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Southampton at The Hawthorns on Saturday, although the former was stripped of the captaincy.
Pardew is set to decide this week whether to give the armband back to the former Manchester United defender or permanently remove it.
Since Pardew took charge in November, West Brom have won just three of 17 matches and are bottom of the Premier League, seven points adrift of 17 th-placed Huddersfield.