Callum McGregor has lifted the lid on what he believes is the biggest moment he’s seen at Celtic.
The captain has featured 55 times this season as the Hoops look to go for title number 56.
Ever the stalwart in midfield, this season has offered up everything imaginable. Though despite the several trials and tribulations, they have given themselves a real chance at retaining their champions status on the final day.
Throughout his 573 overall appearances, McGregor has seen it all. He became captain in 2021 under Ange Postecoglou and has since established himself as a leader of men.
This campaign has tested him to his limits, but he has looked to galvanise his teammates when it mattered most.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s 99th-minute penalty kept Celtic within a point of Hearts, meaning any sort of win against leaders Hearts this weekend will crown them champions.
When the score was level at Fir Park, it meant they would have to beat the league leaders by three goals on the final day.
The way in which McGregor has described that moment in North Lanarkshire speaks volumes to the magnitude it bares. He said (RecordSport):
“Probably for the first time, shellshocked. I’ve seen a lot things in football. I said to Kels [Iheanacho] it’s the biggest moment I’ve seen here for a long, long time. Probably the whole time I’ve been here, everything resting on it.
“Obviously you do the maths around what we would have had to do at the weekend, but credit to him. He’s a big personality, a big player who steps up in the big moments and gets us over the line. Now it’s in our own hands.”
McGregor admitted the squad felt the effects of Sunday’s win over Rangers late on against Motherwell, crediting their belief, as well as the impact the Celtic support once again had.
“I thought after the weekend in terms of everything the boys had to put into it, emotionally, physically, to still be recovering and then get to that level again – I definitely thought we deserved to win the game over the balance.
“The fans drove us on. Once we equalised, we then go on the ascendency again and it’s a hallmark of this team where they just never know when they’re beat.”
Few from the outside would’ve given this squad the chance to be in with a genuine shot at this Premiership title just a couple of months ago.
There has been no shortage of twists and turns. Now, they need to be sure that the job is done on Saturday. But O’Neill will be well aware of the threat Hearts, who are unbeaten against the Celts this season, pose.
Derek McInnes’ side only need a draw to win their first top-flight title in 66 years. But a roaring Celtic Park can prove key in getting this team over the line of the most turbulent of seasons.
