Whatever doubts existed about the first team squad, we all knew there was no chance of Callum McGregor leaving. This morning, Celtic announced the captain has signed a five-year contract which will keep him at the club until he turns 35. It is likely to be his last in the game and will be structured to see him adopt coaching responsibilities towards the latter end of the deal.
We have spoken recently about the value of increasing the velocity of churn in the squad. Two years was more than enough time to enjoy the delights of Jota, before turning him into a pile of cash we can go shopping with. But there is a problem with a revolving door strategy. You need people who can educate new arrivals in what is expected from them and how to deal with life in a new city.
In times when even the manager moves on after a couple of years, Callum McGregor fulfils that role for Celtic. His is fundamental to the success of the club. Although James Forrest seldom plays, his presence at Lennoxtown is also invaluable.
We have seen a few great central midfielders over the last couple of decades: Lambert, Lennon, Keane, Brown, to name a few. They all lose their effectiveness on the park while still at the peak of their powers in the dressing room. I don’t recall any of them being truly great approaching 35-years-old. Callum, however, is a unique football player. He is the fittest who has ever played for the club.
There are 15 domestic trophies to compete for before this contract ends. I don’t doubt he can collect winners medals for the majority of them.
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https://youtu.be/ho5hLiP_s_A
Callum…..great to see how this Bhoy has matured into a Celtic Great
Celtic40me,
Poppycock fella. I watched Lennon panting and puffing as Kaka took off in extra time that night in the san siro.
Regressing 30 something players, unless you are an elite outlier (and Callum ain’t) like Iniesta or Modric, are not up to the kind of opposition we face at that Euro level and gainst what we are trying to build as a club.
For the record, top of the table Europa was more Forster than Brown by the way.
Let science seep into our club and put sentiment aside. We were too sentimental on both those mentioned.
It’s as logical as the buy young : sell on strategy. It’s why clubs like Man City don’t give midfielders long term contracts but 1 year deals.
You need to keep replenishing. Callum’s around for intangible reasons too. Intangible often leaves you exposed on the pitch.
HH
After the euros if Scotland get there calum should leave the international stage if they don’t then when they fail.
To those questioning the awarding of a 5 year contract to a 30 year old, try reading the article before making a fool of yourselves.
To have Captains like Broonie and Callum in succession is remarkable 👌.
I was one of those who questioned Callum’s fitness for being our captain. Thought he was too quiet. Quite obviously, I got it completely wrong. I may be completely wrong again (and wholy sentimental) but I am delighted that he has been given a new 5 year contract. I just hope he retires soon from the Scottish team, although it is only now that the SMSM are beginning to give him the credit he is due for what he contributes to the national X1. Successive managers have recognised what he offers. In fact, he seems to be the only one who gets picked for each and every game and for the 90 minutes thereof.
Paulsthroughball 88
From previous blog.
Think it was with Leeds. Wilko then, for reasons best known to himself, sold Cantona to Manure for a pittance. Swalex couldn’t believe his luck, and capitalised on it big style.
—————————————————————————————————-
I was in Leeds at the time and my son was involved socially with a Leeds
player. The story going the rounds was as follows.
The Head Honcho at Leeds at the time was their larger than life goal scoring centre forward Lee Chapman ( he who was married to Leslie Ash who was badly injured in a rough ‘bit of the other’ when they both (allegedly) fell off a bed!)
It seems that the bold Cantona also had eyes for and championed the lovely Leslie and Chapman told Kendall that either he or Cantona had to go (alledgedly). Within weeks Cantona was sold, as you say, for a pittance to Manure.
‘Tis no wonder that Swalex later acknowledged that Eric Cantona was his best ever signing!
Don’t know if Calum McGregor is Celtic’s fittest ever player, no way of knowing that……
Not as if he has has ever been on ‘Superstars’ like er Kevin Keegan…
Luca Modric,38,signed a 1year extension to his contract with Real Madrid in June
Jist saying HH Calmac
Paula Maldini retired at 41 👍
I’m celebrating Callum signing a new contract. 👍
Excellent new Calmac.
Yasssssss. Too captain, doing us all proud.
Heart beat and spine of the team being secured is great decision making.
KLV
For the love of Jaysus fellas, stop using world class outliers.
They are exceptions to the rule.
There was enough data to prove Broonie declined on the field. Not a criticism. He just got slower with age (see below). Age will catch up with Callum in the next few years and I just hope we aren’t as dependent as we were previously.
https://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/brown-growing-old-gracefully/
HH
A 30 year contract for a 5 year old.
he must be some player.
i didnt read the article either
hey all youse,
stop providing world class super fit oldies still playing for ever , just cos there is loads of them ,
Alec McNair – 41 years old,
The Celtic contract doesn’t shrink to fit inferior players
Selling our best talent for buttons (Jota)
Signing projects (or merchandise enhancers )on long term contracts (Kyogo and Maeda) and rewarding has beens with long term contracts (McGregor)..This is a disastrous way to run a football club.
Lawwell is back in full control..We are doomed
Big Wavy 3.34
That’s not like you.
BIG WAVY on 10TH JULY 2023 2:22 PM
` unless you are an elite outlier (and Callum ain’t) like Iniesta or Modric, `
Did you see Callum and Modric in the Real Madrid game?
In the first half, Calmac was on a par with Modric.
An opinion, of course, but not one affected by the `Foreign good,home grown bad` mantra.
I am almost certain that if Calmac played for a top five European side,
a) He wouldn`t look out of place and
b) He would be much more highly rated in his own country.
Hot Smoked
Aye 👏
BIG WAVY on 10TH JULY 2023 2:22 PM
Kaka was the best runner with the ball at his feet I’ve ever seen. One of the best ever, and the ballon d’or winner that year.
The goal was in extra time after 180 minutes of shutting him out. It was a brilliant defensive performance by the team in which Lenny have layer a key role
You’re just ignoring that to make a point. Very harsh on Lenny
“BIGRAILROADBLUES on 10TH JULY 2023 2:40 PM
To have Captains like Broonie and Callum in succession is remarkable 👌.”
A sober me thinks the same as an, err, not as sober you.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 10TH JULY 2023 2:31 PM
To those questioning the awarding of a 5 year contract to a 30 year old, try reading the article before making a fool of yourselves.
Tom – there is absolutely nothing in the official Celtic statement about Callum’s contract including a move into coaching. Paul may think that will be the case, or do you think Paul knows further details? The same Paul who pretty much got everything wrong on the lead up to BR appointment?
Callum is a terrific player and captain. A new three-year contract might have been expected at this stage of his career then one year extensions and coaching options explored/ taken up. Any other 30 year olds being given 5-year deals?
Calmac speaks very intelligently about the game. I can see him on John Kennedy’s coaching team once BR’s 2nd stint is finished.
I think JK will be our next manager. He too has has stayed loyal to the club and served under 4 different managers. And I will be happy for him to get his chance eventually 👍
Delighted for CalMac, he is one player who truly deserves it.
……………………………………………..
Petec
Sad news about your Da, you take care
HH
……………………………….
GG
Best of, stay strong
HH
Broonie wasn’t a liability in his second last season
Possibly our most important player and absolutely vital to our 2019 league win after BR left
It’s pretty insulting to the rest of the team to put the entire Europa League table win down to one player. Reductive and simple. It was a team effort in which Brown showed he was a very important part and able to do it at that level at 34+
Neil Lennon may well have been struggling at some parts of extra time v Milan but…………….
He was the one player in the vicinity of Kaka when he received the pass on his solo run to score. Neil actually made up the ground and got a tackle in (unsuccessfully) before he charged for the penalty are and backed up McManus and scored.
The only mistake Neil made was not to bring him down; he’d have got a yellow then but maybe kept us scoreless, as Boric was in great form that night. Neil actually got a yellow 10 minutes later. McManus might have concentrated on tackling him or bringing him down too but he’d have risked a red as last man.
DENIABHOY on 10TH JULY 2023 3:57 PM
Who cares about anyone else
Celtic have won 5 trebles in the last 7 seasons and 11 out of the last 12 league. We know what we’re doing
But James McCarthy but
happy about Macgregor contract. Rodgers said we need power in the team. I hope he sees the opportunity at center back – we need a big commanding center who brings areal dominance offensively and defensively.
When CCV was out we were very very poor – thats a concern along with left back , always the target for opposition (despite Taylor improvement – he just doesn’t have the physicality)
he Kaka goal
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Kaka+scores+for+Milan+v+Celtic&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:43ff011e,vid:JqnzH9SBTvs
From memory Lenny got to Kaka but he wasn’t strong enough to stop him shrugging him off
Amazing considering the difference in bulk but that eas just what Kaka did, and to much better players thsn Lenny for years
‘GG @ 11:02 AM,
Keep going chap. Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
DAVID17 @ 12:43 PM,
Oh yes, I remember it well…
Ronny Delia taking pelters for selecting him to play in Europe – my comment was he was a good young player and always a chance he’d get you a goal
Calmac obliged and never looked back
Hail Hail
Remarkable testament to Scott Brown and his contribution although altered in the twilight years, certainly not diminished. He spent more time helping the youngsters and developing players than he did previously. This was time well spent enabling him to have a career as coach and a potential return, with experience.
I’m sure Celtic took advancing years into account with Callum.
SFtBs @ 4:13 PM,
Yes, I was there that night, the bhoys did great but that goal was always coming.
Hail Hail
5 years does also suggest the sort of succession planning that some are so keen to see
Calmac is obviously future coach material. I would like him to be tied down to Celtic when BR or any other future manager leaves
Chairbhoy
Yes- there were many close calls that night but the actual goal was eminently preventable. Neil should have fouled him rather than attempt the tackle. And the other defenders should have come across to allow McManus to attempt a tackle outside the box rather than retreat into the box where he had to be more careful (and where he got absolutely skinned too).
SFTB
I remember screaming at the Tele for Lenny to take him out, as you said back then it would have been a yellow.