Callum McGregor performed like a true captain at Lennoxtown on Friday.
The Celtic skipper expectedly fronted the press after a tumultuous couple of weeks that has seen fans vent unprecedented fury at the club’s board.
Several votes of no confidence have been lodged against members of the Celtic hierarchy due to the disastrous summer transfer window and failure to reach the Champions League proper.
Moreover, a fan protest will be held at Rugby Park on Sunday against Kilmarnock that is designed to show the board that the majority of the supporters don’t have their backing.
So what did McGregor have to say at his presser?
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McGregor addresses Celtic fan fury and upcoming protest
McGregor says he understands why fans are livid and why the protest has been planned, while branding the discontent an ‘unprecedented’ moment in the club’s history.
However, all he can do as Celtic captain is ensure that the product on the pitch excites the fans and gives them something to be proud of.
McGregor said: “I understand the frustration and the (protest) plans etcetera, which is fine. Everybody’s got their opinion of it, they’ve got their own voice and that’s absolutely fine by me.
“Obviously I can understand it. It’s the supporters that make the club, you know, what it is. It’s so special. It’s synonymous with the support that they back the team.
“They’re putting their hard-earned money into the club. So, of course, I understand it. They want to see the best possible team on the pitch that they can do.
“Everybody in elite sport, the players, the supporters, we all want to be at the highest level possible every single year, and that is the demand of this club. So I do understand it. I sympathise with them a little bit on it.
“I think it’s unprecedented in sort of recent times. The sort of level of noise and discontent within the supporters.
“Again, the only thing I can echo is trying to bring that back by giving them a team that they can be proud of on the pitch, they can back on the pitch and ultimately, that are successful and win football matches.
“So I don’t want to be dragged into the politics of it too much. Hopefully, with my influence and the senior players, then we can give them a product on the pitch that they’re happy with and can get behind and then, as always, we keep pushing because we always want more.”
Predicted Celtic starting XI vs Kilmarnock
Brendan Rodgers is likely to select Kasper Schmeichel in between the sticks, with Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers as the centre-backs.
Kieran Tierney trained on Friday so should be fine to start, while Colby Donovan is in line to play given Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston’s injuries.
McGregor will sit at the bottom of the midfield, with Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren just ahead.
While Daizen Maeda, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Tounekti will form the attacking triumvirate at Rugby Park.
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