Celtic skipper Callum McGregor has hailed his teammates for where they stand with just one month left of the season, with the chance to win a domestic treble. The Hoops were previously called out as winning the most tedious treble in history if they beat Aberdeen.
However, with Celtic losing four league games since January — the most in a season since 2020/21 — and the Premier Sports Cup final going to penalties in December, it hasn’t been straightforward, despite what some may believe.
Making criticism of this season being straightforward is simply untrue. Celtic have had to work for everything they have achieved so far, and if they do win the treble, it will only be the ninth time the Hoops have won three domestic honours in a season, making it some achievement despite the sour grapes from some.
With McGregor quick to hit back at critics over how easy Celtic have had it this season.
He said: (RecordSport), “I think it’s because there’ve been so many Trebles in a short period of time, people have become de-sensitised to how difficult it is.
“You need little bits of luck along the way, things to fall for you, and to be playing well at the right time.
“The League Cup Final went to penalties, and we came out on the right side of that one. We could easily be talking about chasing a double instead of a treble. It’s such fine margins.
“When people start to take it for granted, I don’t see that within the players. We understand how difficult it is. People think, ‘If you don’t win the Treble, it’s been a poor season.’ That’s where we are now.
“It keeps you hungry, honest, and working to keep the club at that level of success.
We enjoy trying to be at the perfect stage where winning another treble is standard.
Trying to hit that perfection line is always in the back of your head. Can I be perfect until I finish here?
“It might not happen, but the intent and willingness are there. We’ll see where we end up.
If you try to hit perfection, you’ll know by the end of the season if it’s been a really good one or you’ve just fallen short.”
What a season it could be for Celtic. It hasn’t been perfect, and McGregor is aiming for perfection next season. It’s clear that the last few months have been huge in further motivating the team. With 10 goals in the last two games, the Hoops have a point to prove about whether they are complacent.
Changes to the starting XI have added freshness, and McGregor wants to keep adding to his Celtic legacy. But going further in the Champions League will be a huge aim for him and the club next season. The way they departed this year’s competition with a late-minute goal in the knockout playoffs shows just how close they are to going far in Europe’s premier competition.
It will be interesting to see how McGregor reflects on this season come the final game of the season, the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen. But if the Hoops can win that game, it will likely make the Hoops’ reflections all the more positive.
