The first Glasgow Derby of the season is fast approaching, and Celtic captain Callum McGregor has made it clear that new signings are still needed.
With the transfer window still open, he recognises the mix of hope and realism that comes with chasing more additions. There’s a balance between looking forward to new arrivals and making sure the squad gels properly.
The focus is now firmly on getting the squad ready for what could be a key derby. McGregor’s message is clear: the transfer window is not a side issue. It is vital to what Celtic want to achieve this season. He points out that while a couple of players have come in recently, the job isn’t finished yet. More signings are still needed to keep things moving in the right direction.
McGregor speaks with purpose. Celtic have done some business, but he believes the squad still needs more before the window shuts. His thinking is simple: strengthen now, put recent setbacks behind them and get fully focused on what’s ahead.
There’s a quiet determination in his words. McGregor appears to be setting the standard for the next stretch of the season, linking what happens in the transfer market with how quickly Celtic can build form both in the league and in Europe.
He said: (Sky Sports), “We speak about this in every window – we are at the stage where we need players. I think that is pretty evident, and I think everybody knows that and accepts it. We have brought a couple (of players) in over the last couple of days, and hopefully, there’s more to come.
“Hopefully, when the window shuts, we’ll be in a much stronger place than what we were during the week (vs FC Kairat), and we draw a line under it. Everyone who is here will focus on the football, and then, can we go on and have a really good season?
McGregor continued: “Hopefully, over the next five or six weeks, the team will begin to fly, and will have a real slickness to it. By that time, the European games come in, and we have to go all in. There is still so much to play for.
“If we let the disappointment of the Champions League override everything, then that’s not the way to go, either. We have to draw a line and be positive on it.”
When McGregor says “we are at the stage where we need players”, he’s being straight with no dressing it up. The point is clear: Celtic know there are weaknesses in the squad and steps are being taken to sort them. It is not just talk about transfers for the sake of it, but a real view from someone who knows the inside of the dressing room.
By mentioning the Kairat game, McGregor gives a bit of perspective. He is not just asking for help, he is showing the gap between where the team was last week and where it should be once the window shuts. That phrase “draw a line under it” signals a fresh start and a chance to move forward.
The next five or six weeks are now hugely important. McGregor talks about the need for sharpness, flow and belief. The derby is a big moment, but it is also just part of the bigger picture. The key is whether this team can pick up form and take it into the European stage. His focus is clearly on what is coming next, not just one result.
There is emotion behind his words too. The Champions League exit still stings, but McGregor makes it clear there is no use getting stuck in it. He wants the team to refocus and move on. With the right signings and the right mentality, there is still a lot to aim for this season.
