McGregor has had a look down south but insists heart belongs to Hoops
CALLUM McGREGOR says it’s only natural to peek over the fence now and then but the Celtic captain was never convinced the grass was greener on the other side.
The 28-year-old has been linked with moves down south many times over the years and was nearly tempted to follow Brendan Rodgers to Leicester not so long ago.
Something always brings him back because there’s no place like home for McGregor.
The schemer was handed a green and white kit as an eight year old and he hasn’t known anything different in two decades.
Now he’s hitting his prime years he admits there’s no place he’d rather be after signing a new five-year deal that will take him to 2026 and the age of 33.
He said: “I think when these things come along, you’re only human, you have to have a think about it and see where you could maybe go.
“To be honest I’ve always been super happy here. I think I was eight when I came to the club, so it’s a long time!”
“They’ve have looked after me since a young age, they’ve put a lot of faith in me, and together it’s been a great story so far with so much silverware and so much history being made.
“I’m desperate to win things. That’s why I played football when I was a young kid, to win.
“I feel like this is the best place to challenge yourself every day to get better and to win things, simple as that.
“This club provides that platform for me, so I’m more than happy to stay.”
McGregor enjoyed nothing but success at Celtic up until last season and he knows the club are going through a transitional time right now.
It’s been a bumpy ride under new boss Ange
Postecoglou but the gaffer has nailed his colours to the McGregor mast, naming him as captain and giving him a huge role in the rebuild.
The midfielder admitted his gaffer played a key part in his decision to stick around.
McGregor said: “He’s been massive, as you would expect.
“We’ve a good relationship, I see football being played the same way that he does, which is vital, because his message gets filtered to me, then to the team. We need to be on the same page in that sense.
“I feel the trust that he puts in me as well, so it’s a relationship I want to continue to build on.”
Postecoglou has had to construct a squad on the hoof and he’s been severely hampered by a brutal injury list.
McGregor reckons surviving the hard times will only make the good times sweeter when they come.
He said: “When you look at the road to success, there’s always bumps and different challenges.
“When you plan a season, you plan for the worst case scenario. Everything after that is a bonus.
“You’re going to endure tough times, and it is then about sticking to your principles, sticking to your behaviours, and trusting in what you are trying to do.
“I believe with the young players and the potential we’ve got, I see us being a successful team.
“Once we get some players back and strengthen the squad a little bit, then I think we’ve already seen flashes of what we can be this season.”
McGregor’s commitment is a major message to the rest of the squad. The skipper is on board for the revolution.
He said: “It sends a good message in stability at the club and where were see it going in the next five years.
“There are a lot of young players in the building and a lot of new players.
I’ve always been super happy here. I think I was eight when I came here. McGREGOR INSISTS HE OWES CELTS HUGE DEBT
“If they see that kind of commitment from the older guys, it shows them there is a pathway to where they want to be.”
The new deal means Celtic will see the best of McGregor as he heads into his peak years and he in the ballpark for ending his career there.
He said: “If I manage to see out the next five years, and it’s been a pretty successful time, we can reevaluate.
“If they’re still happy with me then we go again. I love playing for this club. As long as they’ll have me, I’m happy
to be here.”