Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou seems like a particularly delighted man right now, having sewn up the future of captain Callum McGregor.
McGregor, he says, epitomises the values he’s after. He’s showing the behaviour of a leader on and off the pitch, and he’s displaying outstanding qualities [Celtic FC].
When we look back at the early transfer business from Postecoglou’s spell at Celtic, some big names will stick out. Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi, Joe Hart, Carl Starfelt and more.
However, Postecoglou might have done his absolute best business today by ensuring Callum McGregor would be committing his peak years to Celtic.
Named captain in the summer, after the departure of Scott Brown, there was always going to be immense pressure on the Academy graduate to step up. He’s handled it with such consummate ease that it feels odd to think he’s not been our captain longer.
It isn’t just leadership either, though. McGregor is an outstanding player, and the nucleus of what Postecoglou is trying to do with Celtic.
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Yes, his passing is metronomic, with a 90% success rate in the league [WhoScored?]. That’s nothing new, impressive as it is. No, it’s his overall contribution, both in and out of possession, that stands McGregor apart.
Averaging over a tackle and an interception a game, McGregor is comfortable doing the dirty work to win back the ball. Then when he has it, he’s making pin-point, progressive passes. His ball retention (he gives it away less than once a game) and the range of his distribution is exceptional [WhoScored?].
Celtic captain Callum McGregor could’ve succeeded elsewhere. Ange Postecoglou knows that.
Most important of all, though?
After years of being one of the top players in Scotland, with a minutes-per-season ratio that’s eye-watering, and incredible durability, McGregor has no doubt attracted clubs from elsewhere.
In April, reports indicated that Brendan Rodgers wanted him at Leicester City [Sun]. A rumoured, insulting bid from Crystal Palace was given short shrift. When Kieran Tierney left for Arsenal, it seemed likely McGregor would be the next home-grown Celt to leave for pastures new.
He still could, of course, he’s only 28. But signing a five-year deal with his boyhood club suggests there’s only one place he wants to be.
Given the last year or so, he could’ve been forgiven for wondering where the club was going. The success of recent years was replaced with dour displays, pointed fingers and big-name departures.
However, McGregor is still here, and for a long time. He’s ridden out a stormy period for Celtic and now stands as the club’s captain, our best player, and someone who’s 100% in tune with a manager who expects a great deal from him.
Ange Postecoglou and Celtic have done some really vital work here.
Yes, the summer arrivals were great. But with this bit of business, Postecoglou might well have done his best work yet.
Read more: The brilliant Joe Hart moment you may have missed at Celtic Park last night