CALLUM McGREGOR’S season ended in tears and heartbreak when the suffered his first Cup Final defeat at the 14th hurdle.
To compound a day of Hampden howlers, the Celtic captain was one of the two Hoops players to miss from the penalty spot – Alistair Johnston was the other culprit – in the shoot-out that saw Aberdeen lift the silverware following four successful efforts from 12 yards.
McGregor, winner of 24 honours at the Hoops, broke down and admitted it was “the worst moment I’ve ever had in football.”
That was then and this is now.
CHEERS AND TEARS…Callum McGregor and Brendan Rodgers hold aloft Celtic’s thirteenth title in 14 years, but it was a different story for the skipper (below) after the Scottish Cup Final loss to Aberdeen.
The club’s 32-year-old influential onfield leader was back at Lennoxtown yesterday for the first time as he geared for the challenges of the new campaign.
McGregor will be back at the training HQ for a double session today – and revealed he is eager to get back into the midst of the action.
The midfielder said: “You always have that excitement about what a new season can bring, with the opportunities and possibilities.
“So, it’s nice to get away, refresh and take stock a little bit. Once you drive through the gate, you are back to work and the serious stuff starts now. So, we’re looking forward to it.
“I quite enjoy pre-season. I was up at 7 o’clock, ready to go and champing at the bit to get out the door.”
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Nowadays, pre-season the bedding-in period is probably a little bit easier, like getting straight into running to be sick.
“The game has changed a little bit. It’s the guys in the medical department who do all the screening to make sure everybody is okay.”
How will he feel after his first double session? McGregor smiled and replied: “Ask me again on Monday!”
