CALLUM EYES REDEMPTION

McGregor: Securing title will help soothe pain of last season

CALLUM McGREGOR insists it never crossed his mind to take the ‘easy option’ and join the mass exodus from Celtic at the end of last season.

Appointed club captain by Ange Postecoglou last summer, McGregor now stands on the brink of leading the team to the Premiership title.

Six points clear with four games to play, Celtic could effectively wrap up the title by defeating Rangers in today’s Old Firm derby.

McGregor admits he felt a personal responsibility to make amends after the collapse of the club’s bid

for ten in a row last term. Asked if he felt like walking away last summer as team-mates like Scott Brown, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie headed for the exit, he said: ‘No, not at all. We had a poor season and straight away I was thinking we need to put this right and that was my motivation.

‘I love the club, I have committed my future here and I take it personally. If we win, I am the happiest guy in the world and if we lose then I don’t speak for days.

‘But no, there was never a point where I was going to take the easy option. I wanted to come back and put the record straight.’

McGregor penned a new five-year deal last September, effectively putting to bed the speculation that had persisted since his former manager Brendan Rodgers tried to take him to Leicester in 2019.

December’s League Cup success was his first as skipper but he admits lifting the league prize would represent a new high.

He added: ‘To captain the club is such a massive honour in itself. Every time I go on the pitch I give everything — for the club, for the supporters, for my team-mates.

‘If we can finish it off, make it a successful season and lift the trophy that would be a dream come true.

‘Everyone has ups and downs and hopefully they make you stronger. If you can get a moment like that, it’d make it all worth it.’