As Celtic move into the last fixture of the preseason preparations, Callum McGregor has reflected on the draw with Wolves in Dublin.
Whilst the performance by the team was overall a very encouraging one, the Celtic captain was disappointed to lose a late goal against the English Premier League club and not head back to Glasgow with a win under our belts.
But it was the substitute performances of Odin Thiago Holm, Hyunjun Yang and Hyeokkyu Kwon that impressed the Celtic captain and left him looking forward to the new season with optimism.
McGregor said [Sunday Mail print edition page Page 62], “On another day we go and win the game.
“It’s disappointing (to lose a goal) when you get into the latter stage of the game – it’s concentration and it’s fitness at this point in the season. You have to work hard to keep your structure together because it was a pass through the middle that lead to the penalty.
“Maybe it’s a penalty, maybe not – but probably the only disappointing aspect is that it comes from a structural thing.
“But it’s early doors in pre-season. We’ll get there in terms of the fitness work as well.
“The new lads came in and did really well – now it’s up to us guys to teach them what it is to be a Celtic player. The early signs are really good.”
As 67 Hail Hail discussed yesterday, for the limited amount of time the three new bhoys were on the park, they did enough to show that they have the ability to make a contribution this season.
James Forrest’s testimonial against Athletic Club will give us a better look at the three as Brendan Rodgers has already alluded to the fact that he intends to play a different team in each of the 45-minute halves against the Spanish club.
And whilst we can’t read into friendlies too much, it seems that McGregor’s verdict on the new signings is one that we can all be happy about. McGregor sees these players at training as well on the park. So if there is anyone’s early preseason opinion we should listen to, who better than the Celtic captain?
In other news, How Arsenal’s £20m defender has inspired new Celtic man Maik Nawrocki’s next career goal
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