Celtic captain Callum McGregor reflected on the significance of their Champions League campaign and Gustaf Lagerbielke’s pivotal role in their dramatic final game.

Following a heart-stopping victory sealed by Lagerbielke’s injury-time winner, McGregor expressed a mix of relief and pride. “Every game means something when you play for Celtic,” he stated live on TNT Sports. 

Despite a campaign that fell short of their high expectations, McGregor highlighted the importance of their concluding victory. “We felt we should’ve had more points, but it’s nice to finish with a win. That was for the crowd,” he said, acknowledging the support from the Celtic fans who have been the team’s backbone through thick and thin throughout the campaign.

Looking to the future, McGregor conveyed a sense of optimism. “We wanted to finish on a positive. Hopefully we can look forward to next season now, we hope we are back here next year.”

McGregor reserved special praise for match-winner Lagerbielke. “He’s trained ever so well, I’m delighted for him to get the winner,” he remarked, highlighting Lagerbielke’s dedication and hard work in training sessions, despite missing squad after squad in recent weeks. This praise from the captain underscores Lagerbielke’s growing importance in the team and his potential to be a key player for Celtic in the upcoming seasons.

The captain’s reflections offer a candid insight into the team’s mindset and a glimpse of the club’s plans for future European challenges. McGregor’s leadership and his ability to galvanize the team, especially in moments of adversity, remain vital for Celtic as they look to reassert themselves on Europe’s biggest stage. With a mix of experienced heads like McGregor and emerging talents like Lagerbielke, Celtic appears poised to build on this season’s experiences to reach greater heights.