Celtic really are going for it this summer to keep their top stars from being tempted away with big-money moves.
Okay, we can’t really compete with the likes of the Saudi Arabian money that Jota was offered last week, but what Celtic have done is make the players who have ambitions of being successful at the club feel valued.
New contracts for Kyogo and Daizen Maeda started the ball rolling last week and now, Callum McGregor is the latest to commit his long-term future to Celtic after signing a new five-year deal this morning.
Clearly delighted, McGregor said [Celtic FC], “It’s amazing to extend my stay at the club. As I’ve touched on before, this club means so much to me and the success that we’ve had over the past few seasons has cemented that.
“I feel like the club’s in a great place to move forward as well, and when they came and asked me to extend my stay I was absolutely delighted.
“Brendan’s a top manager and I had the pleasure of working with him before and seeing what he did with that group of players, especially a young, hungry group similar to ourselves, and the way he progressed us and took us on.
“His personality around the place gives the building another lift as well, so the club’s in a really strong place.
“We did some great work over the last couple of years but it’s important that we bank that and we continue to move forward because in football you always have to continue your progress and get even better.
‘I’m delighted that the manager’s back, I’m delighted that I’m going to be here long-term as well, so here’s to many more successful years.
“I just want it to continue for as long as possible. I’ve spoken before about the trust that the guys have put in me at this club, and I want to repay that every time I go on the pitch. They’ve been amazing for myself and for my family. It’s given me a wonderful life and some amazing memories.
“Together with the Celtic fans what we’ve achieved are memories that will stay with me forever, and there’s only one place that I want to play football and that’s here.”
Touching on the contract extensions given to Kyogo and Daizen Maeda, McGregor said, “Kyogo’s been phenomenal since he came through the door, and it’s amazing to see him extend his contract so that tells you where he thinks the club can go and where he thinks he can go in terms of his career.
“Daizen as well has been unbelievable since he came in, so that’s two really positive signings and two key figures for the group as well, so that tells everybody exactly where we think the club is.”
Callum McGregor is looking forward to continuing Celtic’s success
The Celtic captain is very clear that his focus on the here and now but leaves us in no doubt that he is looking forward to continuing the incredible success that he has already had at the club.
McGregor has amassed an incredible trophy haul of 20 pieces of silverware during his career and led us to our world record eighth domestic treble, his FIFTH, last season.
McGregor continued, “I just want to take it one game at a time.
“That’s the way I’ve been my whole career – just to focus on the next game and the next training session and just try to give my best every single day, to progress as a player and as a person, and try to have a positive impact on the club.
“So I’ll just be taking it one game at a time and we’ll see where we get to, but I’m hugely proud of what I’ve achieved at this club so far.
“They’ve given me an unbelievable platform to be successful and my duty is to give absolutely everything for this club and do everything I can to make it successful.”
Brendan Rodgers is delighted at McGregor’s contract extension
And Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers was delighted that he has tied up his captain for another five years, “It’s amazing news for the club, for the supporters and for the players, but as a manager it’s extra special to have someone of that quality captain the team.
“Callum’s just such an inspirational player and I’m absolutely delighted to working with him again.
“He’s a player that’s undervalued immensely and it’s not really until you work with Callum that you really recognise the real qualities that he has, firstly as a player because that’s the priority, to develop him as a footballer, but also as a person because he’s a great man, and it’s been great to see that development, from the time I was first with him and now coming back four years later and seeing him evolve even more.
‘He’s the heartbeat of this team. He’s taken on the responsibility of being captain of a worldwide institution with great effect and we’ll look to continue that development.
“At 30 years of age he’s still got a lot that he can win and still lots of improvements to make, and I know that he’s hungry to do that.
“What’s most important is that he’s there for the team. He always has been and now, as captain of the club, he’s a real selfless leader and for me to have someone lead the team like that and be my coach on the field, it’s a great privilege to work with him.”
Callum has really came into his own as the Celtic captain. Following on from someone like Scott Brown was never going to be easy but McGregor has taken on the captaincy like a duck to water.
A league and cup double in his first season followed by a treble in his second, McGregor has already put his own stamp as the figurehead of a relentless Celtic team who are looking to kick on under Brendan Rodgers.
Every Celtic fan will be delighted at this news and every Celtic fan will be looking forward to the new season resuming knowing that their captain is tied up for the next five years.
In other news, Medical scheduled today as Celtic exit nears for fringe player
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