Callum: I’m ready for the call big Eck...
CALLUM McGregor savoured the sweetest goal of his career last night after once again proving he is the man for the big occasion at Celtic – then said he hoped new Scotland manager Alex McLeish was watching.
The homegrown forward popped up in the 78th minute with the sublime piece of chest control and instant right-foot finish from a sweet Charly Musonda pass which gave Celtic a priceless 1-0 first leg lead in this last 32 Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg.
While the 24-year-old knows the tie is only halfway done ahead of the trip to Russia in seven days’ time, he feels Celtic proved a point here to the critics who savaged them following the home defeat to Anderlecht and can travel out to the historic Baltic sea port with confidence.
“I think it’s my best, in terms of the finish,” said McGregor of his sixth European goal in 31 appearances. “I’m obviously delighted to get the finish and I’m always trying to add that to my game – goals in big games.
“I really wanted to make my mark, especially when the manager puts his trust in you for the big games. You’ve got to prove to everybody he was right to pick you.
“First and foremost it was a great team performance. But I was obviously delighted with my performance too.
“It was a great ball from Charly, the wee man’s got that quality and he’s showed it since he came in. He spots a great pass, he’s lofted one over and I’ve taken it on the chest.
“I tried to hit it early and thankfully it’s gone in. To be fair, I just swung a leg at it!
“We’re happy with a clean sheet and would’ve taken a 0-0 to take over there. But we’re delighted with a 1-0.”