Callum McGregor insists it was a harsh call to disallow his goal during Celtic’s season-opening 1-0 win against St Mirren…
The 32 year-old Hoops skipper believed he had opened the scoring in the 68th minute. Following a VAR check, the goal was overturned due to a handball in the build-up.
Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates with Celtic captain Callum McGregor after scoring to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, McGregor said: “Obviously, it’s harsh if you’re going by the ruling and it touches your arm. I thought it was quite high up. But listen, the guys look at it on VAR, and you just have to accept it. Some you get, some you won’t get.”
In the final moments of the match, super-sub Luke McCowan secured the all important three points for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
“The most important thing is that we found a way to win,” McGregor said. “It doesn’t matter who scores the goals. Luke has been amazing since he came back in pre-season. He’s looked on fire, and he gets his goal today.
“You have a few instances where it hits the bar and it hits the post. I think the good thing is we were creating chances, we created enough chances probably to win two or three games of football. That’s what good teams do, they find a way to win.”
“It’s 38 league games, you want to play brilliant football, it’s not always going to be the case. You have to find way to win games of football and this squad is generally very good at that. There’s always more to come, but I think it’s a good start.”
🍀 “That’s what good teams do, they find a way to win”
Goalscorer Luke McCowan and captain Callum McGregor reflect on their opening day win ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kK6ez1eVUr
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 3, 2025
The Scottish champions will now prepare at Lennoxtown this week for Sunday’s lunchtime clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates with teammates Callum McGregor & Johnny Kenny after scoring to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 03 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace. IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)
The clock is also ticking for Celtic to sign players in required areas. With a two-legged Champions League playoff on the horizon coupled with a trip to Ibrox at the end of the month, the board must give the manager the best possible chance in these fixtures – and he certainly deserves to be backed.
It’s not as if the club is short of funds.
Here are the highlights from the Flag Day win over St Mirren on Sunday, which are now available on Celtic TV…
Conor Spence
CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.
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- Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, personally signed by Danny McGrain
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- Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle by David Potter
Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered and don’t worry, your copy will be signed by the legendary Celtic and Scotland star who captained Celtic for the early years of the 1980s.
And from today we’ve reduced the price of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you order with Celtic in the Eighties. So you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Offer available for a short period only as we have a very limited number of copies of David’s wonderful book on Alec McNair left.
So why have one brilliant David Potter book when you can enjoy two?
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.
Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.
You can’t use your arm to control the ball before shooting for a goal. Simples!