Callum McGregor insists he’s going nowhere despite Celtic’s nightmare Champions League exit on Tuesday evening.
The club captain fronted up to the media in the aftermath of his side’s capitulation when they allowed a 4-0 aggregate lead to crumble, only to lose 5-4 after extra-time.
McGregor admitted the Hoops were “scared” in Austria in what was a brutally honest interview at full-time. The clearly infuriated skipper could hardly hide his frustration as he acknowledged their opponents could have scored even more goals across the two legs.
But while McGregor had his say on what went wrong, the 33-year-old made sure to explain how he and his teammates, as well as the coaching staff, plan to put things right in the long-term. And how he has vowed to be in the door to ensure the standards are met.
“We just have to take it on the chin, and my job now – and the job of the manager and the team, everybody – is to find a route forward that we know is a template for success,” McGregor said. “Then we’ll see, come the end of the season, where we are and what we’ve achieved. But I’ll be here.”
McGregor’s declaration comes amid transfer speculation surrounding the midfielder. Saudi Pro League clubs have been linked with the playmaker following his switch of agencies to join up with Unique Sports Group representative James Hussey.
Hussey has links to Saudi as the agency’s Head of Operations for the Middle East and North Africa. McGregor was also pictured alongside Anton Rodgers, former boss Brendan’s son, with the latter currently working in the SPL with Al Qadsiah.
Callum McGregor has been linked with Saudi transfers
The link between Rodgers and McGregor – who worked and won together – was recently rubbished by outlets, but that did not prevent the rumour mill from swirling again.
Ange Postecoglou, another former Celtic manager, sealed a new role as gaffer at Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and the McGregor link sprung back up again. It remains to be seen whether the club captain eventually heads to Saudi for the mega payday before his career comes to an end.
But it certainly seems that, for this season anyway, he’ll be sticking around.
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