Callum’s mum sti and, boy, has h Ll sends me a Christmas card he gone on to deliver for Celtic
Mark Fotheringham spent a season with Callum Mcgregor nine years ago.
Ten years older than the teenage loanee from Celtic, he took the fellow Scot under his wing with the Magpies.
Fotheringham saw Mcgregor blossom, and watched his career grow to the point where he is now the Hoops captain, and has 46 Scotland caps under his belt.
Jurgen Klinsmann was desperate to sign the midfielder for Hertha Berlin a couple of years ago and, by a twist of fate, the Olympic Stadium in the German capital was Fotheringham’s latest port of call in a playing and coaching career that has taken him all over Europe.
That short spell as assistant to Felix Magath ended recently, despite the pair managing to retain Hertha’s Bundesliga status.
Fotheringham is waiting for his next challenge, while Mcgregor is back in pre- season training under Ange Postecoglou.
If he had been cocky or thought he knew it all, I wouldn’t have put my time into him
The Hoops have been busy in the transfer market over the past week with the signings of Alexandro Bernabei and Jota.
There will be plenty more comings and goings at Celtic Park before they kick-off their Premiership season.
But Fotheringham insists Calmac, valued in excess of £20-million at the time of Hertha’s interest, is a player the Premiership champions cannot afford to sell.
Fotheringham, who was given his Parkhead debut by Sir Kenny Dalglish in 2000, told The Sunday Post: “I am so proud of Callum.
“As a kid, I could see he had the natural ability to do very well in the game. He was also a hard worker. He never took things for granted.
“If he had been cocky or thought he knew it all, then I wouldn’t have bothered putting my time into him.
“But he had his feet on the ground. He knew he needed to develop his game and put the hours in.
“That’s why my natural instinct kicked in to look after him. His mum still thanks me to this day!
“She sends a Christmas card every year and gifts for my children. She is so nice.
“I was delighted to be alongside him. He also helped my game.
“What he has achieved with Celtic has been sensational. He has deserved every accolade going.
“His loyalty to the club shouldn’t be overlooked, or taken for granted.
“I’m sure he would have had opportunities to go to the English Premier League. If he had rocked the boat, he may have ended up there.
“His game has been noticed all over Europe, not just in the UK.
“But, again, Callum was just interested in doing his best for Celtic, and helping the club win nine-in-a-row.
“He then helped the club bounce back to win the title back from Rangers a few weeks ago. Callum was brilliant last season, absolutely brilliant.
“I expect him to be the same again in the coming campaign, and go from strength to strength. Now that he’s tasted success as captain, he will want more and more and more.
“You can see he is enjoying his football, and is so proud to be where he is. He is a credit to himself, his family and the football club.”
Mcgregor had work to do when he took over from Scott Brown as skipper, and learn about a new manager, and build a solid working relationship with Postecoglou.
He also had to instil confidence about the training park ever y
day after the squad was bruised and battered when it failed to do 10-in-a-row.
It looked as though he took it all in his stride, even after suffering a serious injury that forced him to wear a protective face mask during the second half of the season.
But Fother ingham stressed: “Callum has made it look easy – but it is anything but.
“There is a huge weight of expectation to captain Celtic. It’s
a demanding role, and there is no hiding place.
“Callum took over at a difficult time, but he went about his business quietly and effectively. He is not a shouter and does not crave headlines or attention.
“He earned the respect of his team- mates and the new signings. That was important.
“He leads by example, and sets a high standard every day. If you dip below what is demanded, then Callum will let you know all about it.
“I was also like that as a player. It’s what I learned as a kid coming through the ranks at Celtic from guys such as Paul Lambert and Henrik Larsson.
“I’d let players know at Notts County. Callum would have seen that. I didn’t tolerate slackness – but I didn’t ever have to shout at Callum!
“Callum has absolutely smashed it as a Celtic player. And he will smash it as Celtic captain. He will help bring even more success to the club.
“He will be a Celtic legend, that is for sure.
“And he won’t ever change. He will keep his feet on the ground and remain humble. He has so many qualities, on and off the park.”
While Fotheringham will keep an eye on Mcgregor and Celtic, he also hopes to be back in coaching at some stage this season.
The highly- rated 38- year- old coach was offered the chance by Neil Lennon to go with him to Omonoia Nicosia in Cyprus as his No. 2, but he opted for Germany.
He said: “It’s nice to know that people are taking notice of me in the game, and if that leads to offers, then all the better.
“Working with Felix was a great experience, and I had played under him at Fulham.
“We had a remit at Hertha, and we achieved it. I was very proud. But we have moved and on, and I’ll see what happens next.
“Just now I am enjoying some family time and being back home in Dundee. I don’t know what will be next – but you are only just a phone call away from something.
“I feel I’m on the right road, and working away in my development.
“I’ve just been away with the SFA to Slovakia doing my UEFA Licence and that was a great few days. I was learning every day.
“Now we will wait and see what is around the corner.”