Callum McGregor got to see legendary Celtic goal up-close

By John Reid

March 28, 2020

Celtic star Callum McGregor has disclosed that he got to see a legendary Hoops goal up-close, whilst answering questions submitted by fans on the official club website.

The Hoops midfielder was answering a question about what inspired him to want to become a footballer.

He revealed that he was a ball-boy at Celtic Park when Shunsuke Nakamura scored a legendary free-kick against Manchester United to give the Hoops a 1-0 win over the English giants in 2006.

“The energy and the electricity”

“I always talk about the Nakamura free-kick against Manchester United as a big moment for me. I was ball boying at that game and I felt the energy and the electricity in the stadium that night. It leaves an impression on you and I remember thinking to myself, I want a bit of this, this is me, this is what I was born to do” McGregor said, as quoted by the official Celtic website.

Nakamura celebrates his goal against Manchester United (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

That night at Celtic Park has to go down as one of the most exciting European fixtures that the club has played in the last 20 years.

A game that had it all

It had it all. A ‘battle of Britain’, an incredible free-kick and then a memorable penalty save by Artur Boruc. Not forgetting, the win also secured Celtic’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League, a great achievement.

Nakamura in action against Manchester United (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Interestingly, Nakamura and McGregor are quite different players, so maybe it is more the night itself than the player that inspired the Hoops midfielder.

Still, if that was the game that inspired McGregor it has turned out well for the Hoops, as he has been one of Celtic’s most important players for the last few seasons.

Perhaps it was that free-kick that was the moment, if so, thank you to Shunsuke for helping a Celtic hero decide his footballing career.