CalMac doesn’t plan to set sail for any new port
Celtic fans may beg to differ. But, viewed from Callum McGregor’s perspective, Brendan Rodgers is the gift that keeps on giving.
Rodgers was a huge fan of the Scotland midfielder and would always pick him for his sides during his three years in charge at Celtic Park.
In a memorable clip on Celtic TV, the interviewer, somewhat breathlessly, talks of McGregor having been the best player in the team – at left-back!
Rodgers pauses for a second before flashing his trademark highdazzle grin and replying: “Callum’s always the best player in the team!”
It wasn’t just a line. After quitting Celtic for the English Premier League, the Irishman put Leicester City’s money where his mouth was and offered £20 million for McGregor’s services.
The bid failed – Hoops owner Dermot Desmond is reported to have personally ruled out the sale – but McGregor still ended up as a big winner.
He got a lucrative new five-year deal from Celtic and a personal boost from the vote of confidence paid him by his former boss.
“It’s always good to get those kind of compliments. It’s a nice feeling,” said the 26-year-old midfielder.
“To be fair, the English Premier is probably the best league around. You watch it and the standard’s good and you’d like to test yourself in it.
“But the club were very keen on me staying. So, while what happens is a pat on the back, once the club made their position clear, it’s not like I was fighting it or anything. “I was happy, I wanted to stay. “I’ve been loving my football, been playing really well, the gaffer’s been brilliant with me and the way we’ve started the season has been unbelievable.
“I know how good this club’s been to me throughout the years. I love it and I was definitely looking to stay.
“So it was just a case of trying to get it done as quickly as possible and getting on with focusing on the football.
“I wasn’t really unsettled. As a player you just concentrate on the game. As soon as pre-season starts, you are right into training and then the season comes and you’re playing big games right away.
“At the same time, it was great to get my new deal done.”
Players signing improved terms – to guarantee their employers maximum cash should they be sold on – is commonplace. But in this case, McGregor’s conviction that the EPL grass is not always greener is clear.
“This is a big, big place to play football, too. The European campaign has highlighted that,” he said.
“It has shown how big we are and how well we’re doing as a group of players.
“Results have been great, performances have been great. Plus we’ve taken a lot from previous campaigns as well. It feels like it’s all coming together.
“It was important for us to make big strides in Europe, to go one better than we did last time.
“We have topped the group, we’re happy with that and now we look forward to finishing it off against Cluj, then looking beyond.
“There’s still enough youth in the team. But at the same time we’re more experienced, we’re playing exciting football and we can manage parts of games better.
“When we went to Lazio, went behind, weathered the storm and ended up getting the winner at the end.
“So, yeah, it’s coming together and we’re delighted to finish the group on top.
“The good thing about this team is we have a lot of guys who can play in different positions and, even if where they’re asking to play isn’t always their strongest, they find a way to do it.
“We’re flexible as a team, too. We can play different systems and that’s especially important in Europe.”
“Plus, of course, we are lucky to have so many good young players – that always drives the competition.
“The likes of Mikey Johnston has been out for a while, but he came back in last Thursday night and got a goal. He looks as sharp as ever.
“Greg Taylor came in at leftback and did great. Lewis Morgan, who was in an unfamiliar position up front but got his goal, worked really hard. And don’t forget Olivier Ntcham, who also made a big contribution.
“So we’re in a good place. We’re hungry, we’re intense and that can only be good for the future.”