When it comes to ensuring levels are maintained it can’t be an easy task to go from the adrenaline rush of a Glasgow Derby, in front of 60,000 under the lights at Celtic Park, to the more serene environment of Fir Park on a Sunday lunchtime, however Ange Postecoglou it appears has no worries on that score and that is down to his choice of captain, and the culture within the Celtic changing room that Callum McGregor has helped foster.
As reported in Daily Record, Ange Postecoglou senses a real responsibility for Celtic emanates from Callum McGregor, and he believes it his captain’s leading by example that will ensure the message that feet have to remain on the ground and that focus moves to today’s visit to Motherwell will be fully understood.
“Callum is a very sensible young man. He’s someone you’d like to have round for dinner – and you’d have a polite conversation with him. But he’s very serious about being successful and he wants this group of players to be successful. He feels responsible for them and wants to guide them in the right way. That’s why we’ve got such good harmony here.
“But he knows the job’s not done yet. The end goal is still ahead of us. By all means, enjoy the moment. But we all understand that on Sunday we wake up and go again. That’s been the mantra since I got here and that’s what we drive into the players on a daily basis. It’s a credit to the environment that Callum’s created.
“Everyone saw him put in an outstanding performance on Wednesday night. He had some challenges going into the game, in terms of playing in a mask.
“Callum doesn’t have to prove anything to me or to anyone else. It’s inspiring when you see him out there leading from the front, getting involved in such a big game and driving the players. It’s inspiring to see. I’m sure it inspired his teammates and everyone who was watching the game.”
Callum McGregor had more than proved himself as Celtic captain prior to Wednesday night, however, to return to the side in a protective mask so soon after a fractured cheekbone is testament to his will to win and his leadership qualities.
McGregor was Celtic’s driving force in the first half, snarling after theRangers Borna Barasic and winning his midfield battles as well as performing with complete composure his deep lying playmaking responsibilities, and as legs ran out of steam in the second half McGregor kept things simple and organised those around him to perfection.
Then post-match when the celebrations were in full swing it was Callum McGregor telling everyone to keep a lid on things, clearly giving out a message that nothing was won on the night. That was clearly a player who had been over the course before, but unlike some players who moved on in the summer, Callum McGregor also showed he still had the hunger for more, and for the new players who arrived at the club in January and in the summer, someone who has been there and done it is going to be vital as the title race hots up.
However, it’s to pull all of that together while still performing technically at the highest level that impresses Ange Postecoglou the most and both for Celtic and Scotland the manager thinks Callum McGregor is still progressing and perhaps there is even more to come.
“Callum’s a fantastic footballer. I don’t like comparing players I’ve worked with because they’re in different environments. But he has everything you need in a midfielder for the modern game. He’s excellent technically, he’s brave on the ball, and he looks to get on it in difficult circumstances.
“He uses all the attributes he has really effectively. He works with an economy of movement and touches that allows him to play the quick football that I like. He’s an international and even at that level, Steve Clarke has said he’s gone to new heights.
“Leadership sits on Callum more now but it’s progressing his game. I love technical footballers and that’s what he is. I like the fact that when things run smoothly, a lot of what he does go unnoticed because of the efficiency in the way he does it.”
When you take as many hits as Celtic have this season, it is vital to have someone who has been over the course before and one who can guide their teammates through the trials and tribulations. In Callum McGregor, Ange Postecoglou has that sort of player, indeed alongside Greg Taylor, those were the only two players chosen on Wednesday who were at the club when Postecoglou arrived. As such on the back of such an incredible squad turnaround those who have experienced a title race before become all the more important, but they can only guide, they can’t protect according to the manager.
“It does help to have boys like Cal and Greg around but, ultimately, they can’t protect the others. The new players get exposed in an environment like Wednesday night and it’s up to them to rise to the challenge.
“I said to them before the game that this hasn’t been a smooth ride for us to this point. We’ve had to take knocks and overcome different challenges. The word I use with this team is battle-hardened. Because nothing has come easy for us.
“Going into a big game like Wednesday, they were ready. Whatever we say to them about the atmosphere and intensity – they were prepared for it. The preparation doesn’t just come 45 minutes before the game. It comes from training and playing every week in that manner.
“It helps that Callum and Greg have experienced it before. But our role is to prepare every player for these big games.”
Today at Fir Park brings an altogether new challenge for a lot of Celtic’s new players – can they go from the noise of Celtic Park on Wednesday ringing in their ears to maintaining those standards at Fir Park on a Sunday lunchtime? That is yet to be seen but it appears certain Celtic’s captain will get the message across, after all he’s been there and done it and still has the hunger for more.
Niall J
Here’s Callum McGregor’s interview with Celtic TV which was posted last night…
