CALLUM McGREGOR insists it’s time for the talking to stop and for Celtic to get back to the business of picking up Premiership points.
The champions are due to play Kilmarnock on their dreaded plastic pitch at Rugby Park on Sunday and they go into the match after almost a fortnight of off-field drama with the fans preparing for a demonstration at the weekend.
The Hoops captain is attempting to put all other issues to the side as he plans to lead his players to victory in Ayrshire.
ON THE MOVE…Callum McGregor patrols the midfield in Celtic’s 0-0 draw at Ibrox.
McGregor said: “There weren’t too many away on internationals, so it actually gave us a good chance to start working with the new guys, the group who are here and the boys who have come in the summer.
“We’re just trying to drip-feed in the messages about how we want to play, how we work and all these things.
“So, it actually gave us a nice break to just hammer home some of the principles and the way that we want to work.”
The determined onfield leader, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Inside the building and inside the dressing room, we have to galvanise a team spirit and bring the boys in, make them feel welcome.
“The minute they feel welcome and settled, they’ll give us the best version of themselves.
“And I’m always a big believer in that, you hear me talking about it every single season.”
McGregor added: “Having seen what I’ve seen this week in training and the tail end of last week, there’s a real hunger.
ENDGAME…Kasper Schmeichel and Callum McGregor lead the acknowledgements for the Celtic fans at Ibrox for last month’s scoreless stalemate.
“There’s a real desire from the guys who have come in, and a good level, as well. We’ve added pace and penetration at the top end.
“We’ve added a top striker, albeit he’s not played so much, but the early signs are good.
“He looks good, he looks hungry to be part of what we are doing here, so I’ve actually been really encouraged with what I’ve seen in the last seven or eight training sessions over the break.
“I believe that if we start well on Sunday and we start to gather some momentum, then the team will really start to come together.”
Belgian winger Michel-Ange Bulikwisha made his debut in the derby at Ibrox only two days after his £4.5million arrival from Royal Antwerp.
Not surprisingly, the wide Bhoy had a quiet game in an encounter that limped to a scoreless conclusion.
Former £20million striker Kelechi Iheanacho was signed on a free from Sevilla and Tunisian international Sebastian Tounekti, who cost £5.2million from Hammarby, are both standing by to make their first appearances against Killie.
