Celts ignoring treble talk, says McGregor

Celtic’s dramatic and historic William Hill Scottish Cup final victory over Aberdeen last year will live with Callum McGregor forever and the midfielder has stressed the importance of the competition to the Hoops.

Tom Rogic’s last-gasp strike gave the Parkhead side a 2-1 win to clinch the domestic treble and complete a season without defeat by Scottish opposition.

Ahead of the visit of Partick Thistle in the last 16 today, the 24-year-old Scotland midfielder said “The Scottish Cup means a great deal.

“Obviously a massive competition for us, the scenes we had that day were excellent, it was special as a group so we hold it in high regard.

“It was the last day of the season, we had so much riding on it so to win the game and get the invincible tag, and win the treble and all that, it is going to live with you to the end of your days. “It is a special day to remember.” McGregor was less inclined to discuss possible back-to-back trebles, with Celtic looking simply to respond positively to the 1-0 loss at Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership last weekend.

That was only their second defeat by Scottish opposition since Brendan Rodgers took over as boss in 2016.

McGregor said: “We don’t want to sit and talk about the treble again.

“We just want to get back to winning ways at the weekend and start focusing on every game the way we did last season.

“That’s what got us the success so we have to go back to that and back to basics a wee bit.

“Kilmarnock played really well on the day, we never played so well. So we will definitely be looking to put it right on Saturday.”

Picture: SNS. Callum McGregor says Celtic must respond after defeat last weekend.