Callum McGregor is celebrating a Celtic landmark this week after making 400 appearances for the club and was, inevitably, on media duties in the wake of Sunday’s win over Dundee United.
McGregor is already in the top 30 when it comes to all-time Celtic outings and is now aiming to overtake his former teammate Scott Brown, who is top 10 ranked after making an incredible 620 before exiting.
As you may be aware, Ange Postecoglou dished out enormous praise to the captain after yesterday’s 2-0 victory, which isn’t something he often does.
McGregor noted that after being informed of the comments and responded warmly to what his manager had to say, telling The Scottish Daily Mail [30/01 print edition, Verdict supplement page 3]: “Once you start to rack up these milestones, you realise you are doing something right; that your preparation is good and your performances are good.
“As long as I stay on that track and stay hungry and fit and healthy, I’m hoping to make a few more appearances.
“It’s always nice when people speak well about you, but the main guy you are trying to impress on a daily basis is the manager. He’s the guy who picks the team, he’s the guy who is heading the club, so for him to say nice things is a really good feeling.
“The gaffer doesn’t hand out praise too often. He likes to keep people on their toes. You know when you are doing well — and when the manager picks you then you are doing something right.”
It’s impossible not to enjoy the relationship the captain has with the manager. From the very start of Postecoglou’s reign, they’ve been in lockstep together and setting the standards for progress.
Celtic are far from the finished article and there’s a journey to go on if we’re to reach our European potential, but you couldn’t ask for two better leaders to take us there.
It’s 400 down for McGregor, but still onwards and upwards from here.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou sidesteps Celtic transfer chatter with Michael Nicholson quip.
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