Celtic fans are still reeling from the Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty.
Brendan Rodgers made his feelings perfectly clear on why he thought Celtic lost in Kairat as the Hoops boss lamented the lack of backing in the transfer market.
The defeat is likely one of the worst in Celtic’s history and the players’ heads will be down.
It’s up to the captain now to lift them and here is what Callum McGregor told his Celtic teammates immediately after the penalty shoot-out defeat in Kairat.
Callum McGregor’s rallying cry to Celtic’s ‘experienced players’
The Celtic captain has enjoyed many famous European nights over his Parkhead career so how did McGregor react to the shock defeat in Kairat?
McGregor told the Daily Record, “The experienced players now have to get around the team.
“I spoke about that in the changing room, about having to reset.
“There will be pressure that comes with this result (against Kairat), of course there will be at Celtic.
“But we have to stay together now.”
Celtic will have to reset and do it quickly because with Rangers up next at Ibrox, they are jumping from the frying pan and right into the fire.
Callum McGregor’s message to Celtic players ahead of Rangers game
If ever the Celtic captain will earn his wage, it’s this weekend at Ibrox. So what is he telling his teammates ahead of the big Glasgow Derby?
McGregor continued, “Everyone else will try to pick us apart but we have to stay together and we have to stay strong.
“We now have an amazing game on Sunday to go there and set the record straight a little bit.
“The players all know that and they know what’s required.”
They all knew what was required on Tuesday night, but failed to deliver with two attempts against the lowest ranked team in the play-off draw.
Despite Rangers’ own troubles, Celtic need to go to Ibrox and win if they are to take the pressure off the players, Brendan Rodgers and, maybe, even the Parkhead board.
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