Celtic captain Callum McGregor has shut down any fears of burnout after being named in a recent FIFPRO study looking into the heavy workload footballers have to go through each year.
The 28-year old first broke into the Hoops side under former manager Ronny Deila off the back of a loan spell down south with Notts County.
Since the aftermath of Deila’s days at Celtic Park, McGregor has been a constant in several Celtic sides that have gone on to enjoy historic success.
The midfielder is well-known amongst the Celtic support as a player who can be relied upon, rarely missing a game across each season.
However, in a recent FIFPro study conducted, the midfielder was named alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford and Scotland teammate Andy Robertson as one of 13 players who have played more than 55 times in all three seasons between 2018 and 2021.
Some may fear what this could mean for McGregor further down the line in his footballing career. But, the Celtic captain made it clear it wasn’t something that was on his mind as he looks forward to international duty with Scotland this week.
He said [Glasgow Evening Times]: “I thought my numbers would be high. But it just shows that you’re doing something right. You’re playing a lot of football and getting to play on big stages and big tournaments. That’s what you want you as a footballer; you want to be tested at the highest level.
“It’s good for me. I’ve developed and learned a lot over the last five or six years, especially. I still feel good, so I just want to keep playing. You don’t feel tired when you’re winning.”
When asked if he had any fears of burnout, McGregor continued: “I don’t think so. It might happen eventually. But I’m quite strong mentally. If I’m here and I’m doing well, and you’re asked to play, then you just get on with it. I’m pretty old school in that sense, too; sometimes it just becomes mind over matter. You just go, and you make yourself feel good anyway. As long as I’m picked to play, and I’m fit and healthy, then absolutely I want to play.”
Well-deserved break on the way for McGregor
Over the past three or four seasons, there hasn’t been much of a chance of rest for Callum McGregor.
With such a heavy workload, that is something which could affect his performances on the park. But, somehow, the midfielder has continued to put in impressive displays in most seasons.
Last campaign being the best example – off the back of a European Championship, McGregor was almost instantly back to work with his new manager Ange Postecoglou and the squad.
Thankfully, this summer will provide McGregor with some much-deserved rest due to Celtic’s automatic Champions League qualification and no early qualifiers to look forward to.
For now, though, the midfielder’s focus will remain on attempting to qualify for his first World Cup.
One thing that McGregor has made clear is that he is in no mood to stop playing week-in-week-out for the Hoops and his nation.
In other news, From cleaner to cup winner: Celtic coach’s remarkable rise in football.
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