Help would be great, but we can cope

CELTIC Callum McGregor believes new signings would give Celtic a competitive edge

CELTIC midfielder Callum McGregor has echoed the sentiments of his manager Brendan Rodgers as he looks towards Friday’s transfer deadline.

The Scotland internationalist has become a pivotal player under Rodgers, with his performances and goals in major games notable.

However, it is the competition within the squad that McGregor has attributed to keeping performance levels up over the course of the past two seasons, something that his manager spoke about in detail last week.

Rodgers maintained that he still believes that he requires three or four quality players for his squad and McGregor would equally like to see some fresh impetus added.

In many ways Celtic have come full circle in this window. Rodgers’ need for players was something he laid bare in the club’s pre-season training camp in June but now, with just four days remaining, the club will look to add to the signings of Odsonne Edourad, Daniel Arzani and Emilio Izaguirre.

“I think it’s vital to any group,” said McGregor. “We went through two years of winning everything and then you come in and look for fresh faces to keep you going and keep your performance high.

“It keeps the group competitive and playing for places and it would help to get one or two in with the right quality to push the boys on.

“There’s no point getting panic buys or something that won’t help th e group.

“We need help and to get that in would be good for the group. I’ve also heard the manager say that if we don’t get anyone in then this group is good enough to have another good season.

“In my time here the midfield has been the strongest part of the team and you have to fight every week to get in the team.

“It keeps your game at a high level. Everyone is pushing for places and that drives the standard up.”

Regardless of what deals are done off the park between now and Friday, there is ample work to be done on the park for Rodgers’ side.

The Europa League qualifier against FK Suduva on Thursday night and the league meeting with Rangers on Sunday afternoon can set a tone for Celtic’s season, as well as restoring their grip on the domestic landscape.

The optimism surrounding Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side was punctured a little with the three goals they conceded at Fir Park on Sunday but losing further ground at Celtic Park would dent the sense of belief on the part of the Ibrox side.

“It’s a big week for the club, one that can help shape our season,” said McGregor. “The players know that as well – there’s been a lot of negativity around the club but two good results can turn that around.

“But we got an away goal in Lithuania, Suduva come to Parkhead on Thursday and then it’s Rangers on Sunday. We’re ready for those challenges. There’s a lot of talk coming from Rangers but we’re just focusing on what we’re doing, the same way we always have done.

“People will always set challenges and put down markers and this group of players has been excellent at coming back from people saying we can’t do this or that. If we’re told teams are coming for us, then the group of players have always responded pretty well.”

The received wisdom ahead of these games is that the form book goes out of the window. In reality, however, the body of evidence would suggest that it is the team with momentum who generally comes out on top.

To that end both games on Thursday evening will add some intrigue ahead of Sunday’s meeting. And while Celtic have lost their fluency and verve in recent weeks, McGregor has pointed to just how high Rodgers’ side have set the bar in recent seasons.

“We don’t listen to what too many people outside Lennoxtown are saying,” said the midfielder. “We’re doing our own thing, trying to play well and get results.

“You’re not always going to be able to do that over a period of two and a half years; there will always come a point where the performances dip and the results take a downturn.

“It’s up to us – players, management and coaching staff – to put that right and we’re striving to do just that.

“During those first two seasons under the manager it was almost Fantasy Football at times. We’ve won everything. We were outstanding during that time and we’ve laid down a marker there and it’s up to us now to live up to that.

“Obviously, we’re not in the Champions League but we know how hard that competition is to get into but we have a really good chance of doing something in the Europa League if we can get into that on Thursday.

“After that we’ll be ready for the game on Sunday and doing our best to win that one.”