In just over three weeks, Callum McGregor hopes to lift the Premiership trophy once more. A few days later, he might also reclaim the Scottish Cup. Despite a season marked by heavy blows, Celtic remain standing and swinging.
McGregor's Honest Assessment
While securing a double from a turbulent campaign could be the most satisfying achievement of McGregor's storied career, he sees no value in ignoring the challenges faced. With eight losses before the split, three different managers across four spells, and a diluted squad, only the naive would view silverware as a sign of health.
Regardless of the outcome, Celtic requires major introspection and a serious shake-up from top to bottom. McGregor stated, "You have to continue to push to be the best version of Celtic. Trust the qualified individuals to run the club, but accountability must extend throughout the entire organization."
Need for Continuous Improvement
McGregor emphasized that even if Celtic triumphs, his stance remains unchanged. "Things have happened this season that probably shouldn't have. A poor season demands a response. We've won trebles and still said we need to respond because success is always demanded."
He acknowledged low points but stressed the need for continual improvement. "We can't just say we survived and keep things as they are. We must push to be an elite-level club, competing in the Champions League and winning titles. That ambition cannot change."
Vision and Support Required
Identifying the right successor to Martin O'Neill is the priority. That individual needs financial backing and infrastructure befitting the club's scale. McGregor noted how quickly a club can regress, as seen after the narrow defeat to Bayern Munich, but also how quickly fortunes can reverse.
"Celtic always responds," he said. "When Moussa Dembele left, Odsonne Edouard emerged. When he left, Kyogo arrived. There's always another superstar in the making. It seems gloomy now, but we might be five weeks away from turning it around."
McGregor's Commitment
Despite rumours of joining Brendan Rodgers in Saudi Arabia, McGregor wants to stay if he sees tangible evidence of a reboot. "It becomes part of your DNA. To play for this demanding club for 10 years is tough but something to be proud of."
Aside from the Covid season, this has been the most demanding campaign. Yet Celtic are in another cup final and five league games from glory. "We're one result away from being top of the league. Despite the noise and circus, we're only three points behind. We believe in ourselves. It's not been an amazing season in style, but hopefully we finish with two trophies."
