‘We must not forget what Rodgers did for us’
● Mcgregor hopes the contribution of former boss to nine-in-a-row will not be lost in Celtic fans’ anger over his shock departure
Callum Mcgregor hopes that Brendan Rodgers’ contribution to the nine-in-a-row success is not lost amid continued ill-feeling surrounding the manner of his departure.
Rodgers walked out of Celtic 15 months ago to take over at Leicester City with the Parkhead side homing in on an eighth successive title. The Northern Irishman was interviewed on the official Celtic website earlier this week, where he heaped praise on the players and Neil Lennon after they were formally declared champions. However, time has not been a great healer for many Celtic fans, who prefer to hail Ronny Deila’s part in the record-equalling run as well as venerate Lennon, who was there at the start and returned to take over the reins after Rodgers suddenly jumped ship to Leicester after guiding Celtic to the sixth and seventh titles.
While Deila, pictured, now in charge at New York City, would be welcomed back, it’s still hard to imagine Rodgers being cheered onto the pitch if and when Celtic are able to commemorate the success properly. Mcgregor, who has made the third highest number of appearances in the nine-in-a-row sequence after Scott Brown and James Forrest, laments this situation and hopes one day all the managers involved can come back and celebrate together.
“The nine-in-a-row run is a combination of three managers we have had,” said Mcgregor.
“Brendan, Ronny and the current gaffer have all done incredible things in their own right. Brendan achieved so much for the club. Hopefully over time, people can see the influence he had and the role he played in this brilliant run, started off with the gaffer and continued by Ronny.
“We had three great years under Brendan – winning three Trebles. To have that much success at a club and for it to be overlooked, just in the heat of the emotion, would be a shame. Hopefully, one day they can all come back together and celebrate the success.
“Emotions run high in football but everyone has been a part of this and, hopefully, that can be appreciated over time.”
Mcgregor himself blossomed under Rodgers to become an integral member of the side. He remains indebted to the manager. “Brendan’s influence in this nine-in-a-row run shouldn’t be forgotten,” he said. “He totally transformed the club. He took it to a different level when he came in with his exceptional standards. You couldn’t drop below it for even one session. It was always an opportunity to get better.
“We progressed as a team and individually and his influence can still be seen on the club as a whole. In terms of mentality, we have now won 11 major trophies in a row and that has never been done before. That says everything about the psychological side of things that was drilled into us in 2016.”
Mcgregor was sitting having a coffee when he heard the news Celtic had emulated their illustrious predecessors from the Jock Stein era by securing a ninth successive title. It was far removed from the wish to win it in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park.
But Celtic have tried their best to make the occasion as memorable as possible during lockdown by delivering the trophy to several players’ houses, where they were photographed with it for posterity.
“There was talk over the weekend that Monday would be the day the season would be called,” he said. “I was in touch with Broony (Scott Brown) quite a bit and we were aware there was a chance it would happen. I’d been for a run on Monday morning and was just sitting having a coffee after making my breakfast. I had the TV on and the news flashed up on the screen that we were champions. “The group chat then started pinging off, so that was nice. It was good to get the news but strange as well. To win a ninth championship in a row for the club is an amazing achievement.
“At the same time, we wanted to get the chance to lift the trophy at a sell-out Celtic Park. The history side will probably take a little bit longer to sink in for the players. The title is won, we’ve done it. But there isn’t that traditional trophy day.
“When you have that party at Celtic Park, it hits you that all the hard work has paid off. Due to circumstances, it will probably take a little bit longer to really sink in.”
With the league season now officially over, the Celtic players have been told to stand down from their various fitness programmes, which had been issued in case the campaign was able to resume with eight games left to play.
“They have asked us not to put ourselves under too much pressure to train every day,” Mcgregor revealed. “If we want a down day, then we can for the next 10 days to two weeks.
“But I know what the lads are like, they will still be doing bits of training. Nine weeks without a game is longer than we have had before, so we are itching to get back.
“Nobody is thinking about taking a holiday after such a long period off.”