Celtic captain Callum McGregor has issued a measured warning to his teammates about the dangers of complacency despite their strong position at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers’ side extended their lead to seven points over second-placed Aberdeen, with a game in hand, following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.
Rangers, however, remain in the mix, trailing Celtic by 11 points. Philippe Clement’s side displayed their own resurgence with an emphatic 6-0 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox, coming hot on the heels of a 4-1 victory against Nice.
McGregor, though, is quick to remind everyone of how quickly fortunes can shift in football.
Reflecting on last season’s title race, the midfielder highlighted the perils of overconfidence.
“I think we were seven or eight points clear last year and then ended up seven behind. That shows you how quickly football can change, and you have to learn from that experience as well,” he said.
“We understand it’s a good start, of course it is, but the reason why it’s been a good start is because of the way we’re approaching the game, the way that we’re training, the relentless nature of the coaches and the players.”
The message from McGregor is clear: there is no room for complacency, with less than half the season played. Celtic’s captain is focused on maintaining the high standards that have propelled the team to an unbeaten run of 29 domestic matches.
“Everybody, every day, is giving their absolute all,” he added.
“The only bit that we can control is that and then when we go to the pitch… we try to get the maximum out of that match.”
Celtic’s current dominance is built on collective responsibility and accountability, something McGregor values highly. The skipper was keen to praise the unity within the squad and the tireless efforts of the club’s staff.
“I’ll be backed up by a lot of senior players, a lot of good senior pros – our building’s full of them. The staff are unbelievable, they work tirelessly. If anybody’s having any days like that [slacking off], then it’s very quickly nailed. We move on and try to work in the right way.”
Wednesday’s win was a testament to Celtic’s resolve, with Reo Hatate’s superbly taken goal proving decisive in treacherous conditions.
Gale-force winds, approaching 50 miles per hour, and persistent rain made for a testing evening in Aberdeen, but McGregor was proud of the way his team adapted.
“To be fair, the defenders read it really well and covered each other and always expected the worst,” he said.
“Overall, I think it was a really impressive win in terms of the conditions and the way we played and the way we controlled the game.”
While Celtic found it challenging to create clear-cut chances in the first half, McGregor praised the team’s ability to handle the elements and stick to their tactical game plan.
“Probably with the weather and the wind, that last wee bit was just missing in the first half,” he admitted.
“It’s difficult, but the players handled it really well. I thought we showed a really good level technically and tactically in the game.”
The win solidifies Celtic’s position at the top of the table, but McGregor’s warnings underline the importance of staying grounded.
With plenty of football still to be played, the Hoops’ captain knows that maintaining focus and discipline will be crucial in the months ahead.
