Callum McGregor’s pre-Livingston message has been shown in a class Celtic TV video.
The Hoops were worthy 3-0 winners at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Saturday, completing our third successive victory at the ground.
It hasn’t always been that easy in West Lothian though. Prior to our breakthrough win in 2021, we’d gone five matches without success on the troublesome artificial surface.
A trip to Livingston is strangely one of the most daunting we face in the Premiership each season. That’s something McGregor alluded to in his warm-up message to his team-mates, which was picked up by Celtic TV‘s ‘On The Road’ video.
“Mentality challenge again today,” he said while the team stretched in a circle. “One of the difficult places to go. We make sure we’re strong. We don’t give anything away.”
While this is likely to be only a fraction of what McGregor had to say in the lead-up to the match, it is pretty good insight that supporters don’t usually get to hear.
While we as supporters are always wary of testing domestic away trips, it is reassuring that McGregor is also switched on to the dangers. Perhaps it’s no surprise that we generally drop so few points when the message is continually so strong.
It shows how the Scotland international thinks too. While much of his play is centered around movement and clever passing, he is also well aware of the need to do the less glamorous parts of the game at tough away grounds.
Individually, McGregor has had a relatively slow start to the season. He certainly has a lot more to offer. With Reo Hatate getting back up to speed and Matt O’Riley performing so well, we could have the makings of a truly terrific midfield.
That’s before you even mention the likes of Paulo Bernardo, David Turnbull and Odin Thiago Holm.
In other news, Scottish club make big-name managerial appointment; two former Celtic players miss out
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