CAPTAIN OBVIOUS

McGregor’s a stick-on choice for role

McGregor isn’t fazed by taking on responsibility and has served as Brown’s deputy in the Celtic changing room.

Part of that involves welcoming new, younger players into the squad and helping them integrate.

Keeper Vasilis Barkas arrived from Greece this summer, with huge pressure on him to replace fans’ favourite Fraser Forster.

With a £5million fee on his head, as wel l as arriving in a new country, McGregor knows how difficult it can be for new players to settle.

He’s tried to help the Greek international and, after his manof-the-match display at Ross County a week ago, McGregor feels Barkas is now beginning to show be can take over Forster’s mantle. He said: “Vasilis has been excellent since he came.

“It was probably a culture shock coming from Greece to a new club.

“But he’s done well and all the boys like him – he’s a nice guy with a good personality.

“He made a couple of big saves last week so that will help him gain more confidence.

“It’s tough to follow someone like Fraser but he has adapted well and has that stature about him too.

“The club have bought him as a big-money signing so everybody wants him to do well.

“He looks comfortable with the ball and can find those passes through the middle of the press, helping start attacks.

“The experienced players help new boys settle in and there are a lot of different cultures in a changing room now.

“It’s important for Scottish players to help the others as much as possible.

“Just little things like advising on the best place to stay or grab a coffee. These small things matter.

“And we have to educate some of the foreign lads on just how big the club is and the standards expected.”

With their Europa League tie in Riga on Thursday night , followed by Hibs at Parkhead on Sunday, Celtic face a hectic fixture schedule. But McGregor, who has racked up 125 games in the past two seasons, isn’t complaining about that. He said: “We have a big squad and ever yone wanting football so we’re delighted to have so many games coming up.

“We were stuck sitting in the house for so long and now we are finally getting back into a rhythm.”