CHAMPS LEAGUE 2016 New manager, new players and journey into DARKNESS CHAMPS LEAGUE 2017 Gaffer idolised, stars hailed and journey into LIGHT for McGregor
Awith Celtic in Austria N i nevitable byproduct of success is that expectations are raised considerably.
After qualifying for the Champions League group stages, becoming Invincibles by going undefeated domestically and securing only their ever fourth Treble, Celtic have just enjoyed one of the best seasons in their 129-year history.
Yet the incessant demands at the Parkhead club are such that they are now faced with the unenviable task of topping that in the forthcoming campaign.
It will be far from easy regardless of who manager Brendan Rodgers brings in between now and the close of the summer transfer window.
Callum McGregor, one of the many Celtic players who prospered under Rodgers last term, accepts there will be no let-up when the new term gets underway with an away match against either La Fiorita of San Marino or Linfield of Northern Ireland early next month.
The midfielder, though, believes the Glasgow club can improve upon their exploits last season almost immediately.
He is confident he and his team-mates can perform far better, perhaps even dominate, their forthcoming European qualifiers.
McGregor, who arrived here in Linz with the rest of the Celtic squad yesterday at the start of their 10-day pre-season break in Austria and the Czech Republic, appreciates just how difficult it can be to progress to the Champions League despite his tender years.
He was involved as Ronny Deila’s side was edged out by NK Maribor in the play-off three years ago and then as Rodgers’ team sneaked through after surviving a nerveshredding meeting with Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Israel at the same stage last term.
The 24-year-old, though, feels the Scottish champions will be far better placed to secure a spot alongside the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid than they were last time around.
He is hopeful the experiences which he and his team-mates have been through in the last few years, coupled with the fact that Rodgers has now spent a season in charge, will ensure they acquit themselves far better.
“The games are hard,” said McGregor. “Going into them you try and prepare as much as you can. But you are only five or six matches into your campaign so there is going to be that rustiness.
“If you get caught cold one night it could be all over. It’s difficult. You have to go to hard places like Be’er Sheva, stand up and work hard for your team-mates. It’s not as easy as people think it is. We are under no illusion going into these qualifiers, it’s going to be even tougher than last year.
“The contrast between Maribor and Be’er Sheva was huge. You get through and everybody is talking about it. Your whole family, your friends, it’s a big thing and we will try to draw on that experience going into these qualifiers.”
McGregor added: “Last year it was a bit of the unknown. You didn’t know how you weregoing to play as a team and the manager knew he had to win the games and we did.
“This time round we will have a better idea of how to play, and maybe dominate, the games a bit more than we did last year.
“That is the idea the manager has – that we can go to these places and not be scared to take the ball and pass it and play.
“Last year we were hanging on a bit towards the end of the game. We just had to win and credit to the players that we did it. There was a lot riding on it.
“We got a great result at home and go there with a bit of a cushion. But you are two down after 25 minutes and thinking: ‘This is hard!’
“We’ve had that experience now and can deal with it as a team. We know it won’t be easy – but we have to back ourselves. It’s so early you could get caught cold but there is so much riding on it you have to go and qualify.”
McGREGOR certainly believes he will go into the new season in a different frame of mind than he did 12 months ago when he was only an occasional starter.
He has developed considerably during the past season and is looking to assume a greater role going forward.
“When a big manager comes in and you’re not sure where your future lies,” he said. “Then you go and have a great season. I’m more of a midfield player now and I have learned that responsibility and how to be part of a team. When I first came in it was all about trying to show everybody how good a player I was.
“It doesn’t work that way. You need to show that you can be part of a team and work hard and do the defensive side if you are going to play longterm here at Celtic. As I say, I feel a more complete player now.”
McGregor, who was surprisingly overlooked for the Scotland game against England earlier this month, had nearly a month off after helping Celtic
beat Aberdeen in the William Hill Scottish Cup final at the end of May and is looking forward to starting the new season the way he finished it off.
“I got about three weeks away in total,” he said. “I was away in Spain with my family for 10 days. It was nice and relaxing. I got an uninterrupted break. I am feeling fresh and looking forward to getting back into things,”
Celtic’s pre-season matches with BW Linz on Wednesday, Raid Vienna on Saturday, Slavia Prague a week today and Shamrock Rovers a week today are being shown live on Celtic TV. For details about how to subscribe visit www.celticfc.tv.