ANGE POSTECOGLOU has revealed there has been interest from “the highest level” in captain Callum McGregor.
But it is testimony to the relentless dedication and single-minded attitude of the Celtic captain that he has never made waves to leave Parkhead.
Twenty-nine-year-old McGregor has bodyswerved transfer innuendo throughout his Hoops career and his Greek-Australian gaffer pays tribute to the international midfield anchorman.
The one-club operator, who had a stint on loan at Notts County at the beginning of his Celtic journey, clocked up his 400th game in the 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice and joked, “I’ll keep going until someone tells me to stop,” as CQN reported.
LET’S GET STARTED…Callum McGregor goes through the pre-match pleasantries with the Dundee United players before his 400th game for Celtic.
Last month’s transfer window came and went without a murmur from McGregor while his team-mate of 18 months, Giorgos Giakoumakis, is still stuck in limbo with his move from the champions yet to be rubberstamped although it is abundantly clear there is no way back to Glasgow for the Greek hitman.
Postecoglou welcomes the stability that his onfield leader brings to his line-up every match day and the Hoops chief said: “Yeah, that’s probably why I don’t bump him up on a weekly basis!
“You know, I’m quite happy with that.
”A lot of that is down to Callum himself. With a lot of these things, it’s often the players themselves who push their representatives to look for opportunities.
“I’m sure Cal will have had opportunities. In fact, I’m definite on that. But the fact is you don’t hear about it and that’s testament to his character. And also the people around him.”
THE MAN FOR ALL SEASONS…Callum McGregor in charge in the Celtic midfield.
Postecoglou, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Other players in his position would probably advertise the fact they’ve knocked back this club and that club and they’re not interested in going here or there. But that’s not who he is.
“That’s not his character, so I wouldn’t take the fact that he doesn’t get talked about like there hasn’t been interest. I can guarantee there would have been from the highest level for Callum. But he’s really proud of the fact he represents this football club.
“He loves his role as captain and he really wants to leave a mark here. It’s a credit to him that he continues to do so.”
McGregor rarely put a foot wrong on the rutted McDiarmid Park pitch as the champions overcame St Johnstone 4-1 at the weekend and Portuguese flyer Filipe Jota added: “We do feel privileged to share a dressing room with him. Callum is someone who is very important in our dressing room.
THE CAPTAIN AND THE GLITTERING PRIZE…Callum McGregor carries the Premiership trophy onto the Parkhead pitch before the league kick-off in July. The champions started with a 2-0 win over Aberdeen.
“He makes us feel welcome and helps us to perform in the best way we can in every game. So, he’s definitely someone to look at and follow his example. We are just grateful that we have someone like him.
“He reached out to me when I first joined the club – like he does with everyone. I think that sort of thing is something that a captain must do and he is a perfect example of that.
“He just wants you to feel welcome and to help you perform in the best way you can.”
