Callum McGregor has addressed questions around his future at Celtic while also giving an update on his fitness as the season reaches a defining point.
The captain has faced increased scrutiny this season, with talk around his form, his minutes, and even outside interest. That noise has followed a campaign where Celtic have lacked consistency, particularly in midfield where McGregor sets the tempo.
In recent weeks, he has not always looked at his sharpest. There have been games where the pace of play has slowed, and Celtic have struggled to move the ball quickly through the middle. Part of that has come down to how often he plays, rarely coming out of the side even when carrying knocks.
That context makes his latest comments timely. With the title race still alive and a cup final ahead, Celtic need their captain fit and controlling games again, especially against sides who sit in and force patience in possession.
Speaking about his future, McGregor was clear where he stands.
He said: (Celtic TV), “Just obviously myself, I’ve always said I want to be at this club, this is the club that I want to play for. I’ve came through since I was eight years old, it’s in my DNA, it’s something I carry with me every single day.
“So yeah, for me I want to be here, I just want to make sure the club continue to push and want to be successful and want to drive.
“And obviously having conversations with the guys upstairs, that is something they want to do, so for me then this is the place I want to play.”
On the outside noise that has followed him this season, the midfielder explained how he deals with it.
He added: “Listen, I don’t actually see a lot of it, to be honest. I’m not on social media, I don’t overly watch the news or anything like that.
“But again in the same token, when you play for big clubs there’s speculation, there’s chat every single day. Every time you’ve played a game there’s chat, so I think the best thing to do is try and take yourself away from it and you almost become immune to it.
“Where you go to work, you train, you make sure that the building is trying to function as well as it can do and that’s the only thing you can control really.
“Then when you get the chance to play, try and give your maximum, try and make sure the team is successful and then the cycle starts again the following week. So you actually do become immune to a lot of the outside noise.”
McGregor also gave a brief update on his fitness heading into the final stretch.
He said: “No, I feel good. I’ve managed it slightly over the last couple of games, but I feel better this week and ready to go.”
His comments on fitness will be watched closely. Celtic’s midfield has shifted often this season, with Reo Hatate in and out of the side and others rotated due to form or availability. When McGregor is not fully fit, it shows in how quickly Celtic can move the ball forward.
The final run of fixtures will test that again. Teams will look to press him early or cut passing lanes, knowing how central he is to Celtic’s build-up. If he is moving freely and taking the ball on the turn, Celtic look far more in control.
His stance on his future also cuts through the noise. There has been talk at different points this season, but his focus has stayed on the pitch. For now, that is where Celtic need him most, with little margin left in the title race.
