IF BIRTHDAY BHOY Callum McGregor continues to win honours at the current rate, there is every chance his medal haul will overtake his age.
The champions’ captain, who is 33 today, pushed his tally of honours to an extraordinary 26 following the league and Cup double in the season just completed.
McGregor is just two behind the club’s most decorated player, team-mate James Forrest, who also contributed to the success of Martin O’Neill’s team during a topsy-turvy campaign.
The two products of the club’s academy have enjoyed a slalom through the silverware in stellar careers that are a credit to both.
McGregor claimed his ELEVENTH title when he led the team to their nail-biting last-day 3-1 victory over Hearts at Parkhead on May 16 to seal the club’s fifth successive championship and their 56th crown in their illustrious history.
SEEING DOUBLE…jubilant Martin O’Neill and Callum McGregor hold aloft the Premiership trophy after the 3-1 victory over Hearts at Parkhead on May 16.
Callum McGregor is clearly a man who likes to do things in style.
The immaculate anchorman has the rare distinction of also being involved in five phenomenal domestic clean sweeps while lifting a glittering array of honours in the league (11), League Cup (eight) and Scottish Cup (seven).
Celtic’s very own Captain Marvel was in the thick of the action throughout the crusade, but just missed out on a treble when the team, with Wilfried Nancy in charge during his brief 33-day reign, lost 3-1 to St Mirren in the Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden in mid-December.
Thankfully, there was no such stumble in the Scottish Cup showpiece against Neil Lennon’s gallant Dunfermline outfit at the same venue on May 23 when goals from Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Kelechi Iheanacho made certain of the silverware by a 3-1 margin.
The first leg of the double had been taken care of the previous week with the victory over the Tynecastle side that saw Scotland’s title kings complete the programme two points ahead.
It’s been non-stop for McGregor since he was elevated to club skipper and onfield leader to succeed the legendary Scott Brown.
SCOTLAND’S TITLE KINGS…joyous captain Callum McGregor leads the celebrations following Celtic’s record 56th title success.
The influential former Scotland star quit the international scene two years ago after winning his 63rd cap following the Euro 24 Finals in Germany.
He was introduced to the Hoops first team by Ronny Deila after the Norwegian had taken over from Neil Lennon in the summer of 2014.
The fresh-faced youngster made his debut in a Champions League qualifier against FK Rekjavik in Iceland – and the player promptly repaid the new gaffer for his faith in his ability by crashing in the only goal of the encounter.
McGregor put down a marker that evening and it has led to a glittering career for club and country with the elegant performer receiving the applause his skills deserve.
He demonstrated his true grit by accepting a loan spell at Notts County during his formative years at the Hoops. He came back from his stint in the lower leagues in England a more mature and competent midfielder.
SMILES BATTER…Callum McGregor proudly displays the Scottish Cup after the 3-1 triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden on May 23.
Calmac made the breakthrough under the guidance of Deila, continued it during Brendan Rodgers’ two and a half years and was a first team mainstay when Lennon returned in February 2019.
In the summer of 2021, he took the opportunity to show Ange Postecoglou his qualities as he played a pivotal role in obliterating the wretched memory of the previous campaign with his consistency and leadership ability to meet and overcome the challenges when the going got tough.
McGregor continued in a similar vein in Brendan Rodgers’ comeback campaign with four honours in two seasons and the signs continue to look good for the future.
Happy birthday, Calmac. And here’s to more success in your sixth season as Celtic’s onfield general.
CQN‘s ace lensmen have been charting McGregor’s progress at the champions. Here is the pick of the pics.
EURO NEW BHOY…Callum McGregor (front row, second lef) takes his place with his team-mates before the Champions League second leg qualifier against FK Rekjavik. Back row: Fraser Forster, Mikael Lustig, Efe Ambrose, Charlie Mulgrew, Emilio Izaguirre, Virgil van Dijk; Front: Leigh Griffiths, Callum McGregor, Kris Commons, Teemu Pukki and Stefan Johansen.
CRUNCH…Callum McGregor in action against Legia Warsaw in the Champions League qualifier at Murrayfield.
GOALDEN BHOY…Callum McGregor fires in a fine left-footed strike against St Johnstone at McDairmid Park.
CELEBRATIONS…Callum McGregor looks happy after netting against Dundee United at Tannadice.
PRIZE GUY…Callum McGregor holds aloft the Premiership trophy after his first season.
MESSI AND ME…Callum McGregor with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi during a pre-season game in Ireland.
JOY BHOYS…Callum McGregor celebrates with his colleagues after the 3-0 League Cup Final victory over Aberdeen in November 2016.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN…Callum McGregor leaves James Tavernier trailing in the Hoops’ 2-1 win at Ibrox on Hogmanay 2016.
SILVERWARE SMILE…Callum McGregor proudly holds the newly-won Premiership trophy for season 2016/17.
THE FINAL PUSH…Callum McGregor challenges Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn in the Hoops’ Scottish Cup triumph to complete an unbeaten domestic season with the treble.
GONG SHOW…Callum McGregor proudly presents his League Cup medal after the 2-0 win over Motherwell in November 2017.
PICK IT OUT…Callum McGregor races away after scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 Scottish Cup Final in May 2018. Motherwell keeper Trevor Carson is left helpless on the Hampden turf.
CHEERS…the Celtic players, led by Kieran Tierney, congratulate Callum McGregor after his unstoppable strike against Well.
THE CUP THAT CHEERS…Callum McGregor proudly holds aloft the Scottish after the 2018 success.
DREAM BHOYS…Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor hold the League Cup after this season’s 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in December.
HAPPY DAZE…Callum McGregor and his team-mates line up for the League Cup presentation.
THREE OF A KIND…Celtic supporters as well as players, Jonny Hayes, Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor all smiles after another triumph.
THREE CHEERS…Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor and Leigh Griffiths applaud the fans.
HAMPDEN HOORAYS…Callum McGreor and Scott Brown congratulate Man-of-the-Match Fraser Forster after his display in the 1-0 Betfred League Cup Final triumph over Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Callum McGregor celebrates with his Celtic team-mates after the title triumph in season 2018/19.
THE PHENOMENAL QUADRUPLE TREBLE…Callum McGregor and Scott Brown with the Scottish Cup after Celtic completed the remarkable achievement of 12 domestic honours in a row at Hampden in December 2020.
PARADISE…Callum McGregor with the coveted Premiership silverware after the remarkable success in 2021/22.
NINETEEN DOWN AND ONE TO GO…Callum McGregor celebrates with keeper Joe Hart after the 5-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead on Flag Day May 27 2023.
TWENTY UP…Callum McGregor and the triumphant Celtic players celebrate completing the silverware clean sweep after their 3-1 Scottish Cup Final win at Hampden on June 3 2023.
WE’VE WON THE LEAGUE AGAIN…Callum McGregor leads the celebrations after the 5-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday May 18 2024 sealed Celtic’s third successive title.
THE OLD ROUTINE…Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor proudly hold the 2024 Scottish Cup after the 1-0 triumph over Rangers on the iconic date of May 25.
HERE WE GO AGAIN…Callum McGregor and his Celtic team-mates celebrate the club’s 55th title after the 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on April 26.
DOUBLE WINNERS…Martin O’Neill and Callum McGregor after masterminding the fifth successive title following the 3-1 victory over Hearts at Parkhead on May 16.
