We have two big dreams this term
running scared of the European big boys, McGregor reckons the run out in Paris has only whetted the appetite for more.
Celtic enjoyed a couple of Champions League group stage campaigns under Brendan Rodgers.
There were some memorable highs, such as two draws with Man City and a win away to Anderlecht.
But there were also some harsh lessons served up by big guns Barcelona and PSG.
Celts have stumbled on the way in the past two seasons and while they have enjoyed runs to the knockout stages in the Europa League, going up against Neymar and his mates again has only given McGregor at taste for a return to the big time.
He said: “We all see that as the level we want to be at. We all want to be in the Champions League and PSG are as big a test as you are going to come up against.
“So to get it really early on in pre-season, getting minutes in your legs against a really high quality of opposition, is great for our preparations.
“It’s also great for the young lads in the squad who have experienced playing against a team like PSG for the first time. We are humble enough to accept that is where we want to get to.
“Of course it makes you miss the Champions League group stage even more. You come to these massive clubs and you see the set-up on those Champions League nights.
“That’s where you want to be as a player and that is where we all want to get back to.”
Lennon’s men will find out their first qualifying opponent on Sunday, August 9 – with round one up on August 18 or 19.
The Hoops are set to be seeded at every stage but McGregor reckons the path is more treacherous than ever with games over one leg unil the play-offs. He said: “There is no margin for error so we have to be fully prepared. “Pre-season is all about getting the minutes in your legs and to play against top players like PSG have when you are constantly moving and constantly thinking is the best preparation possible. “It’s the best test you can get and we will be ready when the qualifiers come about. “It’s a one-game shoot-out and we must be ready. You just have to accept the schedule. “That’s the way it is this year. It would be easy to make excuses but if you want to be in the Champions League you have to be ready and you have to get there. “The players understand what the task is and we will have to be ready.”
BY MICHAEL GANNON
CELTIC’S Champions League dream is every bit as big as the quest for 10-in-a-row according to Callum McGregor.
He knows the desire for domestic dominance has never been stronger with the historic title total in their sights.
But McGregor is adamant a return to Europe’s top table after two years away is just as important to Celtic.
They have stumbled in the qualifiers in the last two seasons before holding their own in the Europa League.
But it’s the Champions League where McGregor wants to be and he’s determined to fight on all fronts this year.
He said: “Yeah, it’s a big goal for us. You want to be at the highest level possible and you want to play big midweek European games.
“We have lacked a bit of luck in recent years but we have to do the basics as well as we can and try to get there.
“We know the league is coming around but in the back of our minds is also the Champions League qualifiers.”
McGregor is determined to get back among the big boys but warned Celts are facing a high wire act.
They could face three one-off ties before a two-legged play-off in the qualifiers and there isn’t room for slip-ups.
Celts could be home or away in the ties depending on the draw and all the single-leg clashes will be behind closed doors.
McGregor said: “All we can do is prepare as best we can. If our preparation and analysis is good then the crowd situation is the same for both teams.
“We will just have to play the way we play.”
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