Callum McGregor reflected on the disharmony all around Celtic at the moment which he believes is having an impact on the park after Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Dens Park on Sunday afternoon…
Brendan Rodgers has repeated dismissed questions about the support’s protests having any impact on the team as the manager seemingly positions himself a step away from the Celtic Board who the supporters blame for the current state of affairs at the club.
And that appears to have seeped onto the park as a contributory factor alongside a squad without adequate numbers in several key positions most notably on the right wing.
“I think there’s a lot of disharmony which can make it difficult for a club like this,” Calmac said as reported by Glasgow Times. “It’s so used to winning and everything’s great, and you’re winning games, but again, I think from the outside it looks easy, and it’s not easy.”
The Celtic captain has pretty much been a winner all his career and if you noticed him at full time on Sunday his face was full of anger and frustration at how that game had gone and how poorly Celtic had played.
“The reason why we win so many games is that we work so hard. So, really, it’s a double-edged sword. When you come to this club, you have to sacrifice everything to be a success, and then you get to enjoy all the good days that have come over the last 15-16 years,” he pointed out.
“It’s not easy, and I think periods like this just show that it’s not easy. If you come off the boil slightly, if you’re not quite there and that disharmony is there, then it can be a difficult place to play football. Our job in the changing room and in the building is to try and make the team as strong as it possibly can be, to then come out and perform on the pitch.
“I think if we get that bit right, then a lot of the noise will start to go away because any wee days like this that we’ve had have usually helped galvanise the group and make everybody fight a little bit more to show people.
“This is what it’s like playing at Celtic. Everyone thinks it’s great, you’re winning trophies… you only win trophies if you’re together and you’re ready to fight and you’re ready to run and minimise the amount of days like this, because at this moment in time, we’re too easy to play against,” the Celtic captain said.
Looking at the match at Dens and several others already this season, including the home defeat to Sporting Braga, he reflected on the goals being lost.”We’re giving up too many goals. It’s as simple as that; we’re giving up too many goals.”
But the job now for the captain, the manager and the leaders in the dressing room is to pick everyone up, work hard and look to put things right by finding some form and winning some games, and there are some hugely important matches coming thick and fast after the Dens Park debacle. There is nothing else for it.
“We have to, and we have to show that we can,” Callum McGregor said. “That’s a challenge for the players, and we’ll speak about it. Ultimately, we have to do our talking on the pitch.
“It’s alright for me coming out and talking, anyone else coming out and talking, but we have to start showing why we’re a good team and can be the team that goes on to be the champions. It’s a tough football club to play for. I’ve seen it over the years. We’ve been very, very successful, but it’s because of hard work.
“There’s no shortcut. We’ve got good players, but football doesn’t work like that. The reason why we’ve been successful is because we’re willing to fight and stick together and be a team. It’s time for everyone to step up a level. I’ve still got no doubt that we’re a good team, and it will click.
“We just have to click maybe quicker than it looks like at the moment.”
How about doing it on Thursday night and then again on Sunday at Tynecastle. That would do for starters.
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Unfortunately Calmac is a major part of the problem.
The mind and the legs and feet not working in tandem.
B R reluctant to acknowledge this.
Hail Hail.
Aye, if Rodger’s would pick his best goalkeeper Sinisalo, it would help for a start. Scheichel isn’t even second best. He also has a fine LB on loan but plays Tierney instead.
I think we are all beginning to see through the sham at our club. Instead of new players progressing, they are now regressing. Our club is on the decline and the next 2 games are going to be crucial if this is to be reversed.
A clear out at Board level is needed as well as at management and coaching level. There are too many old bhoys appointed to staff. This is very unhealthy!
I believe that Dermot Desmond has to go as well, as the club is just a plaything to him. Desmond and the Board are arrogant and hold the fans in contempt.
We are a long way from the stability, progress and atmosphere created by Mr Fergus McCann, and Brian Dempsey. Fergus is an honest, upright, intelligent,, stable person with imagination and ability to plan and deliver. What a team we would have with him and Dominic McKay at the top.and an appropriate head coach and team who have more than one plan for different occasions.
This is no longer the club I fell in love with.
McGregor needs to realise, he can spin all the guff about winning for “15 to 16 years” all he likes but in football you’re only as good as your last game. And that’s never been truer than now, absolute tripe. Hammered 2-0 by possibly the worst team in Scotland’s top league.
Celtic are a team struggling in that very same league and part of that is a dire midfield operation failing to fire its creativity. And McGregor is a central part of that very midfield. Stinking and devoid of answers. He’s been lucky up to now, he’s been surrounded (some would say carried) by better players.
So save your pish, Calmac, you are a part of the problem. 82% of the play yet yous did absolutely hee-haw with that possession. You are part of a system that’s boring to watch. And that’s not traditionally the Celtic way of fast ATTACKING football. Shame on you and your boss.
I also meant to add that most of these current Celtic players are all being overpaid if this level is all they’ve got. £25-grand a week and they can’t beat Dundee. That figure is also a smack in the teeth to better players in the team who are all on far less than McGregor, Schmeichel and CCV. Bewildering!