Martin O’Neill has been open and frank about Callum McGregor’s situation at Celtic.
The Celtic midfielder is the most influential person at the club, but it isn’t yet clear as to whether he will still be in Glasgow by the end of August.
Right now, McGregor is in Portugal with the rest of the squad, as they prepare to face Sporting Lisbon in the second pre-season friendly ahead of the 2026/27 season, and O’Neill has been speaking about his main man.
The Daily Record noted some of the stuff O’Neill said about McGregor’s future, and it’s not exactly a reason to jump around if you are a Celtic fan.
“Oh gosh, I didn’t say that,” said O’Neill. “I never know about anybody leaving. Apparently so, yeah (changed agents). So I don’t know.
“He hasn’t hinted to me he wants to leave at this minute, that would be a bad blow. But sometimes money is a big thing, particularly when you’re past 30.
“I will have a chat with him; he hasn’t brought it up at this moment, so maybe if he doesn’t speak to me, it’ll be all right. But if he does, I will tell him that we want him at the football club. But obviously if something comes in that is just mind-boggling for him, that becomes a different issue.”
There are several things here that make you slightly worried if you are a Celtic supporter, and hopefully, it’s all nothing by the time the 2026 summer transfer window slams shut.
😬 Are you concerned by Callum McGregor’s decision to switch to Brendan Rodgers’ agency?
It doesn’t help that Martin O’Neill hasn’t stated that Callum McGregor will stay
The fact that O’Neill himself is unsure is rather worrying. Yes, it’s a positive that he will speak to McGregor about his future, but it shouldn’t come to this.
McGregor should be ending his career at Celtic, and on a high. But clearly, what has happened during the past 12 months hasn’t helped matters.
Surely only one reason behind switching agents?!
There has been talk that McGregor has switched to the same agency as Brendan Rodgers, who, surprise, surprise, happens to be coaching Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.
Once again, O’Neill acknowledged that this has happened, as surely a player only goes down this road for one reason, and one reason only!
Hopefully, this is just a tactical ploy from McGregor to put the pressure on the powers that be at Celtic Park; otherwise, the signs aren’t good.
Even O’Neill acknowledged the money…
At the age of 33, even a man of McGregor’s standing isn’t going to get the big contracts he earned during his peak years at Parkhead.
But O’Neill did acknowledge that the money part could become a ‘big thing’ with McGregor, especially with his age.
At the end of the day, there aren’t many leagues that could provide such lucrative pay packages, and the Saudi Pro League is one of them.
If McGregor feels he can earn one more big-money contract by moving to Saudi, then good luck and go for it! Even if it will hurt to see him leave.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
