As Scotland’s Players Player of the Year and Celtic’s own Player of the Year gets set to lead Celtic over the finishing line in the race for the Scottish Premiership title, Callum McGregor this morning will hopefully read the of inspirational words from former Celtic captain and club legend Scott Brown who has called time on his playing career to focus on coaching but has taken this opportunity to praise his friend who took the armband after his own time leading the club through a decade of unbelievable glory came to an end.
No-one is going to be happier for Callum McGregor than Scott Brown who was more than happy to talk about the title achievement in his interview with Daily Record, in contrast to both Matt Riley and Ange Postecoglou who were both much more cautious in their assessment of where the title race currently stands ahead of today’s noon kick-off against Hearts at Celtic Park.
“I know how much it will mean to Cal when he walks out there to lift that trophy. It’s what he’s dreamt of doing since he was a kid,” Broony said. “I know he’s had his hands on it before but he’s not been up there alone on that podium, lifting it by himself. Trust me, it’s a very special feeling.
“The best thing about it is the lads in that dressing room will be delighted for him and his family because that’s the level of respect he commands throughout the club.”
A win today will give Celtic a 9 points lead and a goal difference advantage of twenty-something, meaning that theRangers would have to run up three big wins and Celtic suffer two heavy defeats at Tannadice in midweek and against Motherwell next Saturday if there was to be any need for a helicopter.
Broony believes that it will be Callum McGregor and not James Tavernier who will be lifting that trophy a week today and is not in the least bit surprised at that being the outcome.
“I honestly never had any doubts. Look, football is all about how hard you work in training, how hard you work in the gym and how you look after your body.
“A lot of younger players take all that for granted but Cal had that mindset right from the start. He wants to come first at running, he wants to be the quickest over the short-distance sprints, he wants to have the most touches during the game, he wants to cover more ground and run bigger distances than anyone else on the pitch.
“He studies his own stats and he wants to better them all the time. When other players see someone like that it makes them strive to improve too and drive their own stats up. It rubs off on everyone.
“That’s what you get when you have good people around your club and you have to keep a hold of them because they are priceless. That’s why Cal was always destined to become a successful Celtic captain.”
While at Aberdeen fulfilling a coaching and playing role, Broony couldn’t say too much about what was happening at Celtic as Callum McGregor picked up his reins to captain the club and Ange Postecoglou set out a remarkable re-building job. However the interest was always there as he watched McGregor turning into the Celtic leader he always new he would become.
“He’s one of these players with so much natural ability that he can play in a variety of roles. But he also understands what’s required to play those positions properly. I’ve seen him play left wing, No.10, centre mid, left midfield and even left-back which just shows how versatile he is. He takes it all in his stride.
“Yes, this season was always going to be a hard one for him but he’s been absolutely flying since the start. I watch him and I see a guy who is rallying his troops and that’s what a good captain has to do.
“You have to lead from the front and set an example and that’s what he does every single day. There have been times this season when Celtic have been struggling but Callum has been the one demanding the ball and driving them forward. That’s exactly what Celtic need as a captain,” Broony said. “There have been a lot of changes in personnel so they needed a Scottish guy who knows the club and loves the club to bring it all together. He’s at the core of it all.
“There have been a lot of changes but he’s been through the whole transformation like an absolute rock. There are different ways to be a captain. It’s not always about launching yourself into a tackle or fighting with people.
“Callum does it his way. He shows his intelligence on the park. For him, it’s all about his football philosophy and his brain. But he’s got a wee bit of everything. He might not be as daft as the last captain but he does have a bit of dig in him, don’t worry about that!
“He can also weigh in with a few goals every season and they are usually big goals at big moments. That’s when you realise how important he is to the team. But overall it’s all about his work-rate, his enthusiasm and his drive. He pulls people with him and that’s what you need in a leader.
“When the team is struggling you want players to look at their captain and see him leading the fight. In the thick of the battle he is always calm and composed and that’s what inspires people when the chips are down. There was a lot of weight on his shoulders last summer, with a new manager and a lot of new lads coming to the club.
“But Cal is very welcoming to everybody. He wants a dressing room that’s open to all. Football is changing but Calmac is the type of guy who puts an arm round everyone and gets the best out of them. That’s the way it has to be. Different people from other backgrounds are used to their own cultures. It’s no surprise to me that the lads from Japan have all come in and done unbelievably well.
“That’s probably a lot to do with the way they’ve been treated as people by Cal and by the manager. It can be hard for foreigners to come in and understand the language, especially broad Scottish accents. But Cal always makes sure he speaks to everyone and that’s what you want in a leader.
“Everyone at the club looks up to him.”
Scott Brown announces his retirement from playing.
“It’s been a very difficult decision to call time on my playing career but I’ll be 37 next month and I feel the time is right for me to announce that I’m retiring in order to focus fully on becoming a manager.
“Obviously I will cherish some amazing moments from my time and none better than winning so many trophies during my years at Celtic. So I’m delighted that the club is now about to celebrate winning the title back.
“I know how it feels to lift that trophy and how much hard work is required to win it. I take my hat off to Ange Postecoglou and hope himself and the players cherish every moment.
“It was always an honour for me going out there as captain, knowing the lads were listening to you in that huddle, with 50,000 fans behind us wanting us to do our best. I think the lads that are still there have learned from last season and it’s been brilliant to watch then.” Scott Brown announces his retirement from playing.
Good Luck to Broony on his retirement from playing. I wish him well on the next chapter of his career in football. I hope @CelticFC can do something to allow us to celebrate his time with us, as we never had a chance to say goodbye. HH pic.twitter.com/Hj6KBNdqyO
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) May 7, 2022
