Callum McGregor is already working with his third Celtic manager of the season.
The Hoops captain had a close relationship with Brendan Rodgers, and admitted to being shocked at his sudden resignation in early October.
Equally surprising was Martin O’Neill’s return on an interim basis, but what a return it was.
The club icon won seven of his eight matches in temporary charge, maintaining a perfect domestic record before making way for Wilfried Nancy’s arrival.
And McGregor has opened up on early discussions with his new boss, which took place the day before his official arrival.
Callum McGregor on Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
Nancy faces a daunting opening run of fixtures in the Parkhead hotseat, with little time on the training pitch.
If he is to navigate this week successfully, McGregor will need to be a huge part of it.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton says Wilfried Nancy has made one ‘great decision’ already in Celtic tenure
So it makes sense that the pair were having secret talks before the appointment was confirmed.
McGregor said: “We touched base on Tuesday night. He sent me a nice message then just teed up meeting him when we came in after the game on Thursday.
“It’s been good. I spoke to him for about 20-25 minutes before he met the rest of the players. He’s a really nice guy, speaks well, has a really good idea of the game and how he wants to deliver it.
“First impression’s really, really good. Hopefully he got a good impression of me as well and I just said I’m here to help him as much as I can.
“I’ll try and lead the team as best I can on the pitch. It was a really positive meeting then ultimately, how you perform, what you do on the pitch is where everything will be judged.
“Celtic is a unique club. Glasgow’s a unique place to play football and live in. I’m sure he’s got other people helping him, but just naturally I think we’ll have conversations.
“He’ll feel the intensity of the city and the club. I said to him yesterday, if there’s anything I can do to help him in that sense as well, then I’m here to help and try and settle him and his staff quickly so that everyone can get moving on the football part.
“He’s moved around a fair bit in his life as well, so I’m sure he’ll be fine. But the job of the club and the staff and everyone here is to try and help everyone settle in, new managers, new players. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Callum McGregor’s Celtic season so far
After a stellar 2023-24 season which saw him rack up 12 goals from the base of midfield, McGregor came in for criticism in the early parts of this campaign.
In fairness, there weren’t many players who weren’t. Especially after the disastrous Champions League exit to Kairat, the club wasn’t a happy place.
He scored his first goal of the season in Rodgers’ last game, the 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle which put Hearts seven points clear at the top.
But his two goals since – crucial long-range hits against Rangers and St Mirren – have been timely reminders of why Celtic are lucky to have him.
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