What Callum McGregor said on finishing his career at Celtic back in 2019

By David Walton

September 18, 2021

As talk of a potential new Celtic contract for Callum McGregor starts to do the rounds, many will want to know how the player feels about extending his stay.

Indeed, Ange Postecoglou has stated that he’ll now get round to sorting out those who merit new deals. He talked up McGregor as someone he wants to contribute to the football club over the next few years [Scottish Sun].

McGregor’s current contract will see him through to the summer of 2024. That’s just under three years away. However, improved terms could be on offer after becoming the club’s captain.

And it appears that it’s something McGregor would consider if his 2019 comments were anything to go by. After signing his current deal, the midfielder stated that he could easily see him ending his career with the Hoops.

As quoted by the Daily Record after signing his contract, McGregor said: “Yeah, I think so [I could stay]. It’s a real possibility. It’s a massive statement from the club. Obviously, I really value how highly they regard me at the club as well.

“I am certainly looking forward to the next few years. Hopefully we can extend that even further and I could end up finishing my career at Celtic.

“The club has been great with me. I have just been busy in playing football and trying to help the team, but it’s good to get it over the line and get that stability for the new few years going forward. For me, it’s about trying to repay the club and keep playing well.”

Callum McGregor open to permanent Celtic stay

Unless his views have changed dramatically over the last two years, McGregor appears to be extremely open to ending his career at Parkhead.

Being given the captaincy also provides him with something fresh to tackle. He’s been handed the honour on merit, and it appears that he’s one of the players flourishing in the new era under Postecoglou.

There will always be question marks over whether McGregor fancies a move to the English Premier League. Or perhaps abroad to tackle one of Europe’s biggest competitions in the near future. That doesn’t appear to be in his priority list anytime soon.

At 28, the time would be now to move to England. But McGregor being given the captaincy is effectively a key sign he’ll be at Celtic Park well into his 30s. So much so that he’s a contract or two away from becoming a one-club man.

Celtic fans have never had to deal with rumours that he wants away. Never had to deal with any comments from the player about broadening his horizons elsewhere. McGregor has been totally committed to the Parkhead cause over the last seven years outside of a loan spell with Notts County in the 2012/13 campaign.

So don’t be surprised if any negotiations with McGregor go quickly and smoothly. He’s had his eyes set on ending his career at Parkhead since 2019 at the latest. If he signs a new deal, his commitment to the club will only be validated further.

In other news, Luca Connell’s Queen’s Park loan has Celtic supporters asking questions