Callum McGregor acknowledges he may never completely move past Celtic’s Hampden disappointment in May against Aberdeen but is determined to channel that hurt into motivation when the new season kicks off…
The captain’s penalty was saved during the penalty shootout at the national stadium last month while Aberdeen won their first Scottish Cup in 35 years. However, a reminder that Brendan Rodgers’ side returned to pre-season training on Friday as Double winners having secured both the League Cup and a fourth consecutive league title last campaign.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Callum McGregor said: “The way it ended was a real sore one and everyone watching could see that. It shows the players care, it shows how much it means to us.
“So to finish on that was a little bit horrible. You have to try to process it over the close season. But when you reflect back and take stock, another two trophies, a really good run in the Champions League, some really good football, high-level performance consistently,” Calmac noted.
“There are certainly a lot of positives to take from it. Again the only negative is the way it finished, it kind of puts a dampener on everything. But when we look back it’s been another positive season and we have to now draw a line under it, we come back with full energy again and we attack the new season from scratch, day one ready to go.
“For sure, it took a while to not get over it because I don’t think I’ll ever fully get over it. It’s the ones that you lose that stick with you more than the ones that you win. So all it’s done is given me more fuel and more fire to achieve more and continue to win things for Celtic. That’s the positive I’m taking out of it.
“I don’t think I’ve fully got over it but I think I’ve now managed to use it as fuel to drive myself forward and drive the team forward. We have to draw a line in the sand now and it’s a new season.”
Conor Spence
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