CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has spoken of his delight at his captain signing a new five-year deal with the club.
The Hoops have followed up signing Kyogo and Maeda signing new long term deals by announcing our captain will be sticking around for a long time yet!
Rodgers knows all about McGregor’s ability; the midfielder really came into his own under the Irishman the first time around. If Rodgers got his way when he moved to Leicester, he would have taken Callum. However, the Celtic hero was not for budging. Instead, McGregor continued to make history and is now a Celtic player who has won five trebles during his time, one as captain.
Now back at Celtic, Rodgers is thrilled to be able to call upon Callum once again and knows what kind of player he’s getting from the off.
Speaking to the Celtic website, Rodgers told: “It’s amazing news for the club, for the supporters and for the players, but as a manager it’s extra special to have someone of that quality captain the team.
“Callum’s just such an inspirational player and I’m absolutely delighted to working with him again.
“He’s a player that’s undervalued immensely and it’s not really until you work with Callum that you really recognise the real qualities that he has, firstly as a player because that’s the priority, to develop him as a footballer, but also as a person because he’s a great man, and it’s been great to see that development, from the time I was first with him and now coming back four years later and seeing him evolve even more.
‘He’s the heartbeat of this team. He’s taken on the responsibility of being captain of a worldwide institution with great effect and we’ll look to continue that development.’
“At 30 years of age he’s still got a lot that he can win and still lots of improvements to make, and I know that he’s hungry to do that.
“What’s most important is that he’s there for the team. He always has been and now, as captain of the club, he’s a real selfless leader and for me to have someone lead the team like that and be my coach on the field, it’s a great privilege to work with him.”
Celtic’s pre-season is underway in Portugal. Callum and the rest of the international bhoys were back among the squad on Sunday and will now undergo an intense training camp.
The bhoys have a trip to Japan after Portugal before heading back to Scotland for James Forrest’s testimonial.
