Callum McGregor says the sting of Celtic’s Scottish Cup final defeat will never leave him, but the captain is determined to use the pain as motivation heading into the new campaign.
The midfielder had his spot-kick saved in the shoot-out loss to Aberdeen, a result that saw the Dons lift the trophy for the first time since 1990. It was a gut-wrenching end to a season where Brendan Rodgers’ side still claimed the Premiership title and League Cup double.
Celtic are now back in pre-season training, with McGregor leading the group as they look to reset and go again. Despite the success of 2024/25, the bitter finish has left a lingering frustration that the skipper admits is hard to shake.
But rather than dwell on the disappointment, McGregor has vowed to channel the emotions into pushing Celtic forward once more when the competitive action returns.
He said: (Celtic TV), “The way it ended was a real sore one and everyone watching could see that. It shows the players care, it shows how much it means to us.
“So to finish on that was a little bit horrible. You have to try to process it over the close season. But when you reflect back and take stock, another two trophies, a really good run in the Champions League, some really good football, high-level performance consistently.
“There are certainly a lot of positives to take from it. Again the only negative is the way it finished, it kind of puts a dampener on everything. But when we look back it’s been another positive season and we have to now draw a line under it, we come back with full energy again and we attack the new season from scratch, day one ready to go.
“For sure, it took a while to not get over it because I don’t think I’ll ever fully get over it. It’s the ones that you lose that stick with you more than the ones that you win.
“So all it’s done is given me more fuel and more fire to achieve more and continue to win things for Celtic. That’s the positive I’m taking out of it.
“I don’t think I’ve fully got over it but I think I’ve now managed to use it as fuel to drive myself forward and drive the team forward. We have to draw a line in the sand now and it’s a new season.”
Brendan Rodgers will be banking on McGregor’s leadership once more as Celtic gear up for another crack at domestic and European competition. The squad has reported back to Lennoxtown with Champions League qualifiers ahead.
The Irishman is expected to strengthen the squad further in the coming weeks, with Celtic looking to build on last season’s momentum while correcting the late-season form that cost them a domestic clean sweep.
McGregor’s hunger to bounce back offers a timely boost as the hard yards of pre-season begin. His drive remains a vital part of the side’s mentality heading into a defining year under Rodgers.
There may still be a scar from Hampden, but McGregor has already turned the pain into purpose.
