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 Celtic captain, who is 31 today, lifted his 22nd trophy at Hampden on the iconic date of May 25 when he led the Hoops to their 1-0 Scottish Cup Final success over Rangers.
His latest triumph followed just ten days after the astute midfielder had won his NINTH league badge in the 5-0 triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
PARADISE…Callum McGregor is smiles better as he awaits the presentation of his ninth Premiership title.
McGregor was the picture of happiness as he surveyed the scene at a rocking Parkhead on Saturday May 18 on Trophy Day following the 3-2 victory over St Mirren. The champions’ winning margin over the nearest challengers was eight points after a season where there were a few bumps on the road.
At the final whistle, though, the team got the job done, triumphed for a third successive season in their pursuit of the flag, their twelfth in 13 years and 54th overall.
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 taking in the league (nine), League Cup (seven) and Scottish Cup (six).
Celtic’s very own Captain Marvel was in the thick of the action in the previous campaign when the curtain came down on the club’s world record EIGHTH treble at the climax of the soccer showpiece when the Hoops beat Inverness Caley Thistle 3-1 to complete the silverware hat-trick.
This season, he has had to be content with the league and Cup double!
CROWNING GLORY…Callum McGregor with the glittering prize.
It’s been non-stop for McGregor since he was elevated to club skipper and onfield leader to succeed the legendary Scott Brown three summers ago.
The product of the club’s academy has coaxed, cajoled, controlled and inspired his team-mates to seven of the last nine domestic prizes up for grabs.
The influential Scotland international, who is under contract until May 31 2026, has also played his part in guiding his nation to the Euro 24 Finals and, of course, Steve Clarke’s men play the hosts in Munich this evening in the competition’s kick-off.
McGregor 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.
HONOUR No.22…Callum McGregor proudly poses with the Scottish Cup after the 1-0 win over Rangers at Hampden on Saturday May 25.
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.
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 Neil 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 and the signs are looking good for the future.
Happy birthday, Calmac. And here’s to more success in your fourth 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.
SCOTLAND THE RAVE…Callum McGregor (second right) joins in the lap of honour with his international team-mates after the 3-3 draw against Norway at Hampden in November sealed their place in the Euro 24 Finals where they will play hosts Germany in the competition’s kick-off in Munich tonight.
