Callum McGregor breaks silence on Celtic future and has say on Hearts-Rangers title challenge

McGregor emerged as a transfer target for Al Qadsiah after Rodgers, who left Celtic in October, took over the Saudi Arabian outfit, who are currently third in the Pro League. Rodgers has worked with the 32-year-old midfielder for six seasons and was reported to be considering a big-money move for the ex-Scotland internationalist.

Apart from a season on loan at Notts County, McGregor has spent his whole career at Celtic and has won 24 trophies. He is gunning for his 11th Premiership title this campaign, although the defending champions are currently in third place and six points adrift of leaders Hearts.

McGregor was quizzed on his future in the wake of Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday and when the interest from Saudi Arabia was put to him, the skipper responded: “No, no, I’m here.”

After a season of tumult with Rodgers’ exit and the brief, ill-fated tenure of Wilfried Nancy, McGregor is working with his third manager in Martin O’Neill. He said the events of this season have strengthened his desire to make sure it ends up being a successful one for Celtic.

“Even more determined. Even more,” McGregor continued. “Because of what's happened. We've had a difficult spell, we're used to winning, then things don't go your way. So, now you have to show everyone that you want to be a winner and you want to stay and you want to fight, and you want to make the club successful. Yeah, that's the message.”

Title race going the distance

McGregor has been involved in many title races that have been done and dusted by mid-April but with Rangers now ahead of Celtic in second place, the midfielder accepts that this three-way fight is set to go right to the wire.

“I think if everyone's sensible about it, it probably will go down to the last couple of games,” admitted McGregor. “We know where we are, we know where we need to be and on Sunday we had to stay in touch. And obviously given the circumstances, the point's a decent result. Again, we're a little bit disappointed that we don't hang on, but you know that Hearts are going to come strong.

“They're strong from set pieces, they have been all season. So, you know that the game's always in the balance. But that fight and mentality, we showed it on Thursday night, we showed it again on Sunday and we'll need it for every game between now and the end of the season, that's for sure.

“I think you just have to look after yourself. Obviously, I think the games are all big games between now and the end of the season, so all we can do is prepare properly. And when we get to the games, we need to try everything we can to make sure we win them and win enough of them to win the league.”

McGregor has gone through one of his most challenging periods at Celtic in recent months. “It's certainly not been easy,” he admitted, “but I don't think that's been the case for anyone.

“When you're so successful and you win so much and then you go through a spell where you're struggling, the team are struggling, then of course it's difficult. Let’s not hide away from that. But that's gone now, so we have to draw a line and move forward.

“We have to keep believing, everyone's here to fight every single day. It's tighter probably than potentially what it has been for the last few years, but we have to relish that challenge as well.

“We've put ourselves in a difficult position and hopefully we can rectify it. But we'll need everyone - every player, every staff member, every supporter - we need everyone pushing in the right direction to make sure that we get what we want come the end of the season.”