CALLUM McGREGOR insist his Celtic bosses must match his ambition – or he could be heading for the Hoops exit.
The 32-year-old captain stresses he is in no rush to quit the champions, but, at the same time, the influential onfield leader is looking for guarantees from the club’s powerbrokers.
The team has wobbled through a turbulent season that has seen three managers in the hot seat which has hardly been conducive to the consistency of the team as they have attempted to seal their fifth successive title and fourteenth crown in 15 years.
Brendan Rodgers quit in late October before heading for Saudi Arabia, Martin O’Neill answered the SOS and was in interim charge until Wilfried Nancy arrived in early December.
The Frenchman lasted 33 disastrous days – and six defeats in eight games – before being sacked and once again the charismatic Irishman stepped in to guide the Parkhead outfit through the remainder of the topsy-turvy campaign.
Seeking reassurances for the new season and beyond, McGregor said: “I’ve made my feelings known that I want to be here — so it’s kind of on the club.
“I’ve always been the same. I want to be at Celtic — as long as the club want me there and as long as the club’s ambition matches my own in terms of playing at the highest level.
“For probably half the time I’ve been here, we’ve been playing in the Champions League or been in the Europa League.
“We have to continue to push and be as good as we can possibly be. I don’t want to sit here and be a Celtic captain who’s not winning anything.
“I’ve been very honest with everyone in that conversation. The people inside the club know it.
“If we’re not going to be the best version of Celtic, then I don’t want to be the guy who’s not winning any trophies. That’s not me and not who I am.
“But if you are going to push, I don’t think there are many more people who would put themselves in the firing line more than me, in terms of what they deliver for the club, what they do, and what they’re willing to do to bring success.
“I don’t ever, ever question that because I know how hard it is and I know what you have to do to be successful here as a leader and player.
McGregor, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “I want to be here, that’s obvious. But it has to match up with the club 100 per cent. They need to be the same.
“The minute Celtic don’t want me here then I’ll be moved on, it’s as simple as that. But my stance on it — and I’ve told everyone this — is that I want to be here.”
The former Scotland international midfielder, who still has two years of his contract to run, will lead out the team again for crucial Premiership encounter against Falkirk at Parkhead for tomorrow’s 5.30pm kick-off.
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