We know exactly how well Happy Birthdays have gone down with Celtic supporters, but can you really stay angry at Callum McGregor?
The Celtic and Scotland midfielder was given public best wishes by the club, upon turning 28. I know, he’s 28. Where does the time go? It feels like just yesterday he was a winger on loan at Notts County [Nottinghamshire Live]. In case you’d forgotten, he played alongside Jack Grealish for a season.
And unlike so many others before him, McGregor was generally sent warm wishes by the Celtic family. That includes Chris Sutton, although the big ex-striker had a word to say about CalMac’s goal celebration, captured in GIF form by the club:
We don’t see Callum McGregor score particularly often, in fairness. He managed three strikes last season, and has netted 53 times in total for the Bhoys [Transfermarkt]. Yet, he’s earned the tongue-in-cheek ire of Sutton, who was quick to offer a word of warning to the consistent midfield maestro:
In fairness, it’s not like Callum McGregor runs arms-wide and tongue out, Chris…
I like to hope Chris Sutton has read one of my articles. With that in mind, I’m going to address one of my favourite ever strikers directly: you alright, my man?
It’s a tribute! CalMac came of age in the Martin O’Neill era, and at 28, will have plenty of amazing Chris Sutton memories. Not least this last-minute effort against Rangers, which secured the Green and Whitewash over our rivals [Celtic FC]. That’s perhaps the most iconic use of the celebration.
But Sutton was a goalscorer! McGregor is a midfield general, who has played a ridiculous number of minutes for the Bhoys since breaking through. To say CalMac gets far less practice celebrating goals would be an understatement. You can’t have it all, Chris!
In terms of recognisable signature celebrations, there haven’t been too many at Celtic. It’s not like McGregor could copy Larsson’s famous tongue, or Robbie Keane’s roll, cartwheel, ‘bang bang!’ move that’s synonymous with the ex-Ireland hero. In terms of emulating his idols, he’s quite limited for choice, really.
So it’s the Sutton. Maybe we’ll see him try something else when he gets on the scoresheet in 21-22. Given the amount he plays for us, he’ll no doubt have an opportunity or two.
READ MORE: The role Liam Shaw is likely to have at Paradise
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