‘I am old school’ – Frank McAvennie’s odd criticism of captain Callum McGregor’s actions for Celtic

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It was another tick in the box for Callum McGregor during the recently concluded season for Celtic.

Two more trophies added for the Celtic captain, including a 55th Premiership crown for the club, and that memorable League Cup final win over Rangers.

The only downside was Celtic’s Scottish Cup final loss to Aberdeen, as the champions got a taste of their own medicine when they missed out on the Treble by penalties.

As the man with the armband, McGregor stepped up first, but his spot kick was saved, before Alistair Johnston also fell down the same unfortunate hole.

When the game concluded, McGregor was visibly upset on the pitch, and his manager consoled him.

But Frank McAvennie saw all of that very differently.

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Callum McGregor after Celtic’s Scottish Cup final loss to Aberdeen

McAvennie started his career at St Mirren in 1980, and he ended it at Paisley in 1995, which also included a two-year stint at Celtic.

But, speaking to the Let Me Be Frank Podcast, the former striker thinks McGregor shouldn’t have shown his emotions on the pitch.

McAvennie noted how he is ‘old school’, and McGregor was wrong with his actions, and he should have done it behind closed doors.

“That’s his first time losing (in a final),” said McAvennie. “I was a wee bit, you don’t show that (emotion).

“Everyone is saying, ‘yeah, it’s great. He is showing everyone what to Celtic’. Do that in there (in the dressing room).

“I am old school. I am a great believer. If you get punched in the nose, you don’t show it hurt you. You don’t show it. You get a kick, you get up and don’t show that people are hurting you because you have to win that battle.”

Life at Celtic after Scott Brown

Scott Brown was a very vocal character and very loud on the pitch. It’s fair to say that McGregor is the opposite, in that regard.

But McGregor was still the man to replace Brown as the skipper when he left the club in 2021, and you have to applaud him for the job he has done.

Celtic’s trophy count continues to surge, including progression in the Champions League.