Callum McGregor’s comments should not be brushed aside as standard footballer speak.
The Celtic captain rarely deals in public ultimatums. He is usually measured, diplomatic and focused entirely on football. That’s why his remarks about ambition carry so much weight.
McGregor made it clear he wants to remain at Celtic. He also made it clear that Celtic need to remain ambitious.
Here’s a reminder of what he said:
“I’ve always been the same, I want to be at Celtic.
“So as long as the club want me there and as long as the club’s ambition matches my own, in terms of playing any the highest level.
“For probably half the time I’ve been here, we’ve been playing in the Champions League or been in the Europa League which is a really good standard of football as well.
“So we have to continue to push and be as good as we can possibly be. I don’t want to sit here and be a Celtic captain who’s not winning anything.
“And I’ve been honest with everyone in that conversation. The people inside the club know it.
“So if we’re not going to be the best version of Celtic then I don’t want to be the guy who’s not winning any trophies.
“That’s not me and not who I am.”
When he spoke about wanting to compete at the highest level and not wanting to be a Celtic captain who isn’t winning trophies, there was a clear message behind the words. He wasn’t talking about next weekend or next month. He was talking about the direction of the football club.
That brings us to Martin O’Neill.
The question isn’t whether O’Neill is ambitious enough personally. Nobody could watch what he achieved last season and question his desire to win.
The man came out of retirement twice to rescue Celtic. He inherited a club in turmoil, united a fractured dressing room and somehow delivered a domestic double. There is no shortage of ambition there.
The bigger question is whether Celtic’s appointment process has matched McGregor’s ambitions.
Celtic have spent six months arriving at a choice between a 74-year-old manager who initially came in as a short-term fix and Robbie Keane, whose managerial CV remains less than inspiring.
Supporters are entitled to ask whether that represents the level of ambition McGregor was talking about.
This summer has seen movement throughout European football. Managers have changed clubs across England and the continent. Yet there has been little indication Celtic seriously explored many of those options.
Perhaps they did behind the scenes. Perhaps conversations took place that never became public.
But from the outside looking in, it feels like a process that lacked imagination.
That doesn’t mean appointing O’Neill is the wrong decision. Far from it.
Based purely on last season, O’Neill earned the right to continue. He deserves enormous credit for what he achieved.
However, there is a difference between making the correct appointment and conducting an ambitious search.
The two are not necessarily the same thing.
Ultimately, McGregor will judge Celtic on actions rather than announcements.
If O’Neill is confirmed and then handed the resources to strengthen the squad, replace departing stars and build a team capable of competing in Europe, this debate will quickly disappear.
If Celtic stumble through another transfer window, fail to improve the squad and continue relying on O’Neill to paper over cracks, McGregor’s comments may begin to look increasingly significant.
The captain isn’t demanding a glamorous name in the dugout, he’s demanding ambition.
The challenge for Celtic’s board is proving they share it.
