Positives of their Euro adventure will help Hoops deal with their enforced lay-off
Callum McGregor insists the prospect of falling 11 points behind Rangers is no cause for Celtic to panic.
The Hoops had last Tuesday’s match against St Mirren and this weekend’s visit of Aberdeen both postponed because of Boli Bolingoli’s breach of quarantine regulations.
And with their Glasgow rivals due to be in action twice before the Hoops face Dundee United on Saturday night, there is a real prospect of the gap being in double figures by kick-off time at Tannadice.
“I think it is too early to be concerned,” said the midfielder.
“We are only really focused on ourselves. We have come through this week and now we have a positive European game to look forward to on Tuesday with KR Reykjavic due at Celtic Park.
“The league matches we missed will be played. It is not a case of playing catch-up in terms of points.
“Once we get to the games, we will be focused on one-at-a-time as we catch up on fixtures further down the line.
“I don’t think there is any need to panic at all.
“We are looking forward to Tuesday, and then we have a game against
Dundee United next weekend.”
McGregor didn’t comment directly on Bolingoli’s actions, but he acknowledged Celtic’s current situation had similarities with the aftermath of Brendan Rodgers’ abrupt departure for Leicester City and Rodgers’ big fall out with Moussa Dembele.
“There are a couple of instances that you have mentioned there that the boys have dealt with brilliantly as a group, and it’s not different now,” said McGregor.
“Internally, the boys got together and we understand what is at stake and how we have to come forward in a positive light and show our togetherness again.
“When you are successful year-onyear, the target gets bigger on your back every season. It is up to the players to defend the club and defend the supporters.
“The boys are well aware of their responsibility to the club, and the fact they have to deliver going forward.
“So we are in a positive frame of mind, looking forward to the game on Tuesday and just wanting to get back out on the grass, where we can play our football and show everyone we are together.”
Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier holds sentimental significance for the 27-year-old.
He made his Celtic first-team debut against KR in the Icelandic capital in July 2014 and scored the only goal of the game.
“That game was a while ago now, but
it’s a special memory in terms of making my Celtic debut and scoring the winner,” he revealed.
“I remember coming back for preseason after being out on loan, and I was desperate to make an impact. So I was working really hard to try to impress the manager.
“I felt the pre-season games had been going well and that I had an opportunity to play, so when the manager named the team on the day of the game, I was absolutely buzzing and couldn’t wait for the game.
“There’s that nervousness as well, but it turned out to be a great night for myself and for the club to get an away win.
“I would have to say that it ranks right up there as one of my best goals.
“It is something I will always remember and it’s up there.
“I took the goal well. That was back in my right winger days and I took the boy down the side, chopped back in and got my strike in.
“It took a nick off someone on the way in, but it was a nice strike all the same.
“It was my first competitive game for Celtic, so to score the winner really capped it off.
“I also scored against Legia Warsaw in the next round.
“That was a bit crazy, losing 4-1 on the night but then going through on away goals after they played an ineligible player.
“That goal turned out to be vital. But, at the time, we came off the pitch disappointed.
“It was just crazy circumstances that we ended going through as a result of what happened and my goal.”
When it comes to Celtic’s 2020-21 European adventures, McGregor, now deployed farther back on the pitch, is happy to leave the striking duties to Odsonne Edouard and – perhaps - the club’s new £5 million signing, Albian Ajeti.
“Albian looks quick and strong and I think he will give us the option of playing two up front,” McGregor said of the Swiss.
“We are pretty comfortable with the two systems now, and if you bring in another good bit of quality there then you always have that other way to go.
“It will, of course, be the manager’s decision. But he looks good.”