Callum McGregor says he’ll do everything in his power to help Wilfried Nancy adjust to his new role at Celtic…
The captain met the new manager in a one-to-one meeting on Thursday following Nancy’s official appointment.
The 48-year-old then led his first training session at Lennoxtown yesterday before facing the mainstream media, but not fan media such as The Celtic Star who were bizarrely denied access an hour before we were due to arrive at Lennoxtown.
McGregor was instrumental in helping lure Brendan Rodgers back to the club after a secret meeting in 2023, and the influential skipper is now aiming to build another strong partnership with the newly appointed Frenchman.
“First impression’s really, really good,” Callum McGregor
Speaking via Celtic’s favoured media outlet, Daily Record, McGregor said: “We touched base on Tuesday night. He sent me a nice message then just teed up meeting him when we came in after the game on Thursday.
“It’s been good. I spoke to him for about 20-25 minutes before he met the rest of the players. He’s a really nice guy, speaks well, has a really good idea of the game and how he wants to deliver it. First impression’s really, really good.
“Hopefully he got a good impression of me as well and I just said I’m here to help him as much as I can. I’ll try and lead the team as best I can on the pitch. It was a really positive meeting then ultimately, how you perform, what you do on the pitch is where everything will be judged.”
Former Columbus Crew manager Nancy has barely had a moment to settle in after a hectic two days in Glasgow, but McGregor believes the 48 year-old will quickly find his feet following his landmark move from the United States.
“Celtic is a unique club. Glasgow’s a unique place to play football”
He said: “Celtic is a unique club. Glasgow’s a unique place to play football and live in. I’m sure he’s got other people helping him, but just naturally I think we’ll have conversations.
“He’ll feel the intensity of the city and the club. I said to him yesterday, if there’s anything I can do to help him in that sense as well, then I’m here to help and try and settle him and his staff quickly so that everyone can get moving on the football part.
“He’s moved around a fair bit in his life as well, so I’m sure he’ll be fine. But the job of the club and the staff and everyone here is to try and help everyone settle in, new managers, new players. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Conor Spence
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