Callum McGregor spoke to the media yesterday afternoon after the Celtic squad arrived at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo ahead of this evening’s Champions League match against hosts Atalanta…

Here’s what the Celtic captain was asked and how he responded to the media’s questions.  This incidentally was ahead of Dortmund shipping five goals in the second half of their match against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, despite having a 2-0 lead at the break.  It would have been interesting to hear Callum refer to that result…

Q: It was a tough night at the office last time in the Champions League, but I know moments after you were determined to do better this time around – how are you feeling?

Callum McGregor: “Yeah, good. Like you said, it was obviously a difficult night the last time out but we can’t lose belief that we’re a good side. We know we’re a good side. We came up against a top opponent and we weren’t quite right on the night. At this level, that’s what can happen – you can get punished. We’re determined to put it right and the time has come. We’ve arrived here and the boys are feeling good so now we have to produce a performance on the pitch to match that.”

Q: Brendan Rodgers made that very  point that belief is going to be key. Is it going to be key when you’re under the cosh against a very good side? There’s every chance with this side that you will be.

Callum McGregor: “That’s the challenge for the group – to stand up in those moments and control the game without the ball as well as with it. When you get to this level, you need to be really good in both aspects to get points. We do a lot of talking, but we have to do our talking on the pitch and be together and resolute. When we get the ball, we know we can cause problems as well.”

Q: The team faces criticism for its performance in Dortmund. Do you feel as a group that you have something to prove coming into this game?

Callum McGregor:  “I think that you’ve always got something to prove, especially when you play for Celtic. Even more so when you take a sore one, then everyone’s looking for that reaction. Personally and collectively, people are looking to see what direction you’re going to go and I think it’s important tomorrow night that we show we’re together and we’re a team that wants to fight and try and get as many points as we can at this level. Belief and confidence have a massive part to play in that. So we understand that we had a poor night last time out, but it’s only us who can fix it and only us who have that opportunity to turn it around.”

Q: Callum, you talk about learning lessons, what do you learn from match-day two?

Callum McGregor:  “I think if you’re not right and you play against a top opponent with that much quality and speed then it shows you have to be on the level or else that’s what can happen. Different factors in the game, in terms of how clinical they are, but it shows you that it can happen. The lesson is that we always have to be together, no matter how the game pans out. You have your block and you have to be together and defensively strong and limit the amount of space that you give the opponent. We speak about trying to learn lessons, but we’re the ones who have to show it on the pitch and show that we’re getting better with each game and each experience. I guess you’ll only know that at the end of these games.”

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