“A real buzz about the place”, love it – Maestro-Esq from Calmac”

Echoes of the Maestro from Callum McGregor in his interview with Celtic TV yesterday as the Celtic captain looks ahead to flag day at Celtic Park on Sunday, where he will be given the honour of unfurling the flag to signify that Celtic are the Champions again.

And the club, who yesterday completed work on the new design outside the Lisbon Lions stand, featuring Billy McNeill proudly lifting the European Cup above his head in Lisbon on 25 May 1967, hinted that Callum McGregor will be featured on the banners at the Jock Stein stand at the other side of Celtic Park.

Echoing The Maestro, one of the finest footballers many of us have ever seen playing the beautiful game, the current Celtic captain told Celtic TV yesterday: “There’s a real buzz and energy about the place with plenty of anticipation of the new season ahead.

“It’s important we get our mindset right for that in the next few days at training, give a good performance and try and get a good result,” Callum McGregor said.

On the special moment that awaits him on Sunday when he unfurls the flag, Calmac clearly feels honoured at being asked to perform this duty. “When you think about the people that have done it over the years, for the club to ask me to do it is a huge honour, and for my family to watch that. It’s always a brilliant day when you get to unfurl the league flag at Celtic Park.

“I’m very grateful to get the opportunity to do it and once we get it out the way it’s down to business and making sure we perform and get the three points. The excitement of a new season spurs you on and the challenge is to go and be champions again.”

Aberdeen aren’t coming to admire Celtic and applaud last season’s achievements from McGregor and his teammates. Instead they will be looking to get their own campaign off to a great start by taking the biggest scalp available on the opening day of the season. It’s fair to say that Aberdeen vastly under-performed last season, failing to even make the top six at the split and doing nothing in the cups.

Jim Goodwin though is a decent coach and he’s been re-shaping the outlook and the playing squad. Expect a fitter, more athletic team that’s full of running and endeavour on Sunday and they should give Celtic a good game. The Celtic captain appreciates the challenge that awaits the Hoops on Sunday.

“Early on in the season, teams are feeling good about themselves and everybody wants to start in a positive manner,” he told Celtic TV. “Jim’s sides are always really organised, really tactically astute. It’ll be a tough game and we have to be ready for it to get a positive result to start the season off.”

With no Champions League qualifiers to worry about this time around, Celtic have certainly made the most of the pre=season preparations and after the final match of six friendlies at home and abroad last Saturday against Norwich City, Ange Postecoglou declared himself satisfied with the work done and progress made in July as his side looks ahead to Sunday’s visit from Aberdeen as the defence of the title gets underway. The Celtic captain echoed those sentiments yesterday.

“Pre-season is a lot about fitness and getting your work in but we’re also trying to build a winning mentality,” he explained.

It’s important that we’ve come through pre-season undefeated and we’ll try and take that mentality into the season. There will be a lot of challenges so it’s important that everyone stays together, including the supporters.”

Once the flag is unfurled on Sunday and ahead of the first whistle of the new season Callum McGregor will park all thoughts of last season’s title win and instead put all his efforts into winning the league all over again.

“It’s so important we draw a line in terms of last season and being successful as this is a totally new season, with new challenges. It’s up to us as experienced ones to guide the group through that.

“The players who came in did brilliantly last season. For them it’s another challenge to say, ‘Can we go again and produce that level, and potentially even more, in the season coming?’

“Everybody is well aware of the challenges lying ahead, and we have to commit to them as a group. If everyone does that and gives everything then hopefully we will be in a good place.

Here’s Callum McGregor speaking to Paul Cuddihy on Celtic TV yesterday afternoon.

Reaction from Celtic supporters to this Callum McGregor interview…

“Big Cal! what a captain and what a player, best in Scotland….’There’s no one better, he’s like me and you! He loves Celtic too'”…

“Calmac is a credit to himself, his family, club and country! A class act and a Celtic Great!”…

“A genuine Celtic great, really looking forward to this season”…

“See when watch him on pitch or training pitch he really is guiding the bhoys and he has found his voice amongst that team .. he has surprised me with being captain, I’ll be honest. I thought at first his personality didn’t suit being the main man on pitch and being captain. He never gave me that feeling.. but now he is turning into great captain for us”…

“Great interview. Great player! Keep on working Celtic! Congratulations”…

“We Never Stop! 53, 2 in a row, 11/12 SPL Champs – lead the way, Calmac!!”…

“Top man Calmac…you deserve all the praise and accolades you’re receiving. Keep up the high standards. Love the ‘there’s a buzz about the place ‘ quote…brings back happy memories of The Maestro”…

“Top player, top captain and the most underrated player in Scotland..HAIL HAIL”…

“We stand behind our leader”…

“A real buzz about the place, love it , Maestro esq from Calmac”…

“Can not wait till Sunday, this bhoy is really growing into the captain’s role more and more”…