Celtic star 'deserves to make a lot of money' but Martin O'Neill won't sanction exit

McGregor has emerged as a transfer target for Al-Qadsiah, who Rodgers is in charge of following his resignation as Celtic boss back in October. The Saudi Arabian Pro League side are awash with cash and are keen on strengthening their squad after luring Rodgers to the Middle East.

A winner of 24 trophies with Celtic, McGregor remains one of the team’s key players - even more so during a time where the current side sits third in the Premiership, six points behind leaders Hearts.

O’Neill worked with McGregor earlier in the season during his first interim spell at Celtic and was extremely complimentary about the skipper’s abilities and influence on those around him. And after the disastrous and brief tenure of Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill expects to rely heavily on the former Scotland internationalist until the end of the season.

“Not only is he the captain of the side, he's the talisman, the driving force of the team,” said O’Neill. “He's really important for us.

“The sort of form he was in during my little spell there, I thought he was terrific. It was epitomised by the goal he scored against St Mirren. But overall he was just terrific, and even in games where he wasn't totally dominant, he was still proper for us.

"I haven't had a chance to speak to him but I would obviously be disappointed if somebody came in at the last minute and whisked him away. I don't want to see that happening. I don't think that we could cope with that.

“I saw the rumours, or I heard the rumours. I don't think you can see rumours, can you? You hear rumours. I think he loves it here.

"Does the man deserve to make a lot of money? Absolutely. But as you say, he's been terrific for the football club and he'll live long in the memory after he leaves.”