‘Brendan Rodgers changed the landscape of this club massively’ – Celtic Captain

Q: Does it feel strange for you, because this club is so stable? Manager-wise, it’s very rare to make a change. Brendan Rodgers resigned himself, but mid-season. Have you had to take on a bigger mantle as captain than you already do? Have you had to address the players?

Callum McGregor: “I’ve spoken to most of them, probably individually. We spoke in the changing room on Tuesday morning, and then it’s just been constant since then, really. I think the biggest thing when there is change is, can you find some sort of continuity in that? James, Ali, and I, as well as the senior players, along with the staff who have been here for a large period of time. I think everybody’s been looking at them for stability, and I must say every one of those guys has been amazing. So, as much as there has been a little bit of change, the guys who have been there and done it within the building have been really good and really stable as well.”

Q: Can I ask you about John Kennedy as well? He’s been here for such a long time. What’s your reaction to him leaving? Will he leave a big hole in the club?

Callum McGregor: “Absolutely. I think Kendo’s contribution over the last 25 years that he’s been at the club has been incredible. Assistant manager to three, four, or five different managers, and has always been the one constant for the players and the staff, everyone at Lennoxtown, everyone at the stadium. He took a lot of responsibility, and someone I have huge admiration for, working over the last 10 years with a really close personal and professional relationship, and he was someone you could rely on in difficult times. So, he’s been amazing. I also don’t think he got the credit that he deserved to be at this club for such a long time and do the job that he did. It was outstanding, and it is a big hole that will need to be filled. I think it’s right to acknowledge how big a part of the success he was because he was absolutely first class. I think he’ll be hard-pushed to find a better assistant manager. He was really top-level.”

Q: How do you think Brendan’s going to be remembered here? How will you remember him here?

Callum McGregor: “A very successful manager over two spells. I think, hopefully, he’ll be judged on what he’s done for the club. Going back 10 years, he changed the landscape of this club massively. The professionalism has continued even the first time when he left. I think everybody looks for reasons why we were so successful even after he left the first time. It was because of the values and the work ethic that he instilled when he came in the first time. That’s carried us right through a long period of time. He’s come back. He’s added more success to that. Unfortunately, in football, everything comes to an end. As a club, we have a lot to thank him for. We wish him well, of course. I’ve known him for a number of years now. He was amazing for my career and has done so much for me. On a personal level, I’ve got so much to thank him for. I’m sure whatever he does next, he’ll be a big success.”

Continues on the next page…