Celtic captain Callum McGregor is the definition of a serial winner and will once again be keen to lift more silverware in the forthcoming campaign.
The Scotland international has played his part in 22 major honours making their way to Parkhead, and he doesn’t seem intent on slowing down any time soon.
Last campaign, McGregor returned from a supposed season-ending scan to help Celtic claim Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup glory.
On the big occasion, the Lennoxtown product always seems to have a decisive say. Despite Scotland’s disappointing EURO 2024 campaign, the 31-year-old registered an assist during the group stages against Switzerland and gave a good account of himself in Germany.
Rest will be paramount to ensure he is fighting fit for the start of 2024/25. Either way, McGregor has given some intriguing insight into how he has managed never to lose a cup final in Celtic colours.
Callum McGregor on his cup final record
Speaking to The Celtic View, he stated: “I don’t want anybody to jinx me, but then people talk about it and you think: Let’s make them wait a bit longer. I’m delighted; you can only prepare so much; you get yourself mentally and physically ready, prepare the team, and then there’s a little bit of luck comes into it as well.
“I’m delighted to keep it going, and the more it grows arms and legs, the better you feel about it. When you come back, you arrive into these big games full of confidence because you’ve got so much to look back on.”
After a while, the habit of preparing for cup finals and crunch occasions will have become like second nature to McGregor. Ultimately, he is acutely aware of the high standards associated with life at Parkhead, knowing there is no room to falter in front of an expectant support.
That doesn’t mean they get any easier. Celtic are the dominant side on the Scottish football landscape, and everyone is willing to have a crack at trying to test their mettle, fancying their chances in a one-off encounter.
Nevertheless, great leaders find a way to see their side through. McGregor is the first name on the teamsheet for a reason, and he is known as the club’s main standard-bearer for his relentless commitment to winning.
With a new campaign on the horizon, hopefully, he can captain Celtic to even more silverware under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.