Callum McGregor was back at Lennoxtown on Friday as Celtic returned for the first day of pre-season, with the captain speaking positively about the work ahead despite ongoing questions around his future.
McGregor remains one of Celtic’s most important players, but his name has been dragged into transfer discussion this summer amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia and previous links to Brendan Rodgers.
For now, though, the message from the Celtic skipper was focused on the new season.
Speaking as the squad returned to training, McGregor said: “Good to be back, see everybody, see the coaching staff and get to work.
“Coming back in this season, we’re here, we’re ready. We get everyone back together, we start training properly, and like I said, it’s then our job to make sure that this can be as successful as it can be.”
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That is the kind of tone Celtic supporters would expect from McGregor.
The midfielder has been the standard-setter at the club for years, and his presence on day one of pre-season will be welcomed by Martin O’Neill as he begins preparing the squad for a campaign that already carries plenty of pressure.
Celtic have a title to defend, Champions League qualifiers to prepare for and a transfer window that still has major work to deliver. Keeping McGregor settled and central to the team would be a significant part of that.
At 33, his future will naturally be discussed more often, especially with interest from outside Scotland. But McGregor has never been a player to let noise distract him from the job in front of him.
His comments were short, but they carried the usual message: Celtic are back, the work starts now, and the squad have to make sure the season becomes successful.
O’Neill will need additions this summer, but he will also need his leaders. McGregor being back in the building, setting the tone from the first day, is still a major part of that.
HE has been earning a decent salary at celtic for a number of years but at 33 and a large tax free salary” to top up his pension might be to tempting to turn down.
We live in hope