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Fullname: Callum William McGregor
aka: Callum McGregor, Calmac
Born: 14 June 1993
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 1 August 2011 (through the Celtic youth ranks)
Left: –
Position: Midfielder
Debut: KR Rejkyavik 0-1 Celtic, 15 July 2014, (Scored once)
Squad No.: 42
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: ? [complete at end of career]
International Goals: ? [complete at end of career]
Biog![[Untitled]](https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/ecabb0d124080530385894693e6c44a5 "[Untitled]")
Few other young players at Celtic have seen a rise, then fall and recovery as great as that as Callum McGregor. It was a hard slog for McGregor but it was to be very worthwhile, and proof that perseverance and a strong will can pay off.
Ronnie Deila Era
Having come through the youth ranks, he was brought into the first team at the start of the Deila reign after a loan spell at Notts County, McGregor was one of the few bright sparks of the early days of Deila’s reign which faltered badly. The fact the side was relying on freshmen spoke volumes and McGregor saved face for the then ailing First Team.
Energetic and eager, he played on the wing and more than played his part in attacks to push the side forward, and that he did very quickly scoring three goals in Europe to help the first team get going, including a winning away goal on his debut v Reykjavik.
The most valuable goal in this spell was against Legia Warsaw in the Champions League qualifiers, which Celtic were to be thankful for. They say every goal is valuable, but never before has such a goal in a 6-1 aggregate tanking ever been as important. The score reversal of the second leg to a Celtic three nil victory meant Celtic progressed on the away goals rule thanks to McGregor’s goal. As sadly Celtic then tripped up in the next qualifiers round, the goal was to be filed away rather than celebrated.
Despite that wonderful early run, his form fell away quickly and inevitably impatience from some of the support in the stands didn’t help. It was a sore and unfair irony that his fine form was inverse to that of the first team (by coincidence) whereby as the first team finally picked up, his form was falling, and he was to be out the first team picture.
He was relegated to the bench then the reserves, but he was to return the next season but again too often undervalued by some of the support with the most critical calling for experienced players to come in rather than bedding in youngsters. Thankfully that minority were ignored, and Ronnie Deila might have had various failings but as a supportive coach to youngsters, he played a key role in their development.
He was young and when given a second lease of life, he grabbed it by the horns and fought for his place deservedly won. However, Deila’s managerial spell was faltering, and few players were standing out well. As McGregor was identified with this period, he was undervalued by too many.
He was still gaining experience, mostly under the radar, and under Brendan Rodgers this was to pay out in dividends. Patience was the key.
Brendan Rodgers First Era
Into season 2016-17, he had finally cemented his name in the side. He was a cult favourite to a growing number, and he was to build on it strongly. Although it was taking time for the naysayers to get off his back, but he was to shrug them off soon enough.
A direct, hard working set of performances earned him the right for a permanent first team place and he was no longer the young & coming player. He played alongside the midfield in Rodgers preferred five man midfield, and as an attacking force, he was helping to drive the forward lines to victories with strong attacks at goal.
He could still frustrate, for example when he squandered a chance to look up and pass to his colleague which would have won the game in what ended to be a 1-1 draw in the Champions League away to Borussia away in 2016. Showed he had much to learn but he was learning. In time, he built on everything and as no flashy media front man for Celtic. Willing to just do his talking on the pitch, he was another key man in the Celtic side as the first team headed to back-to-back trebles which included goals v Sevco (scoring in two successive games v Rangers in April 2017), really rubbing it in. He deserved the plaudits as Celtic completed the season unbeaten domestically.
Season 2017/18 was pivotal, and his fine form was growing, including continuing to score v Sevco, and he was heralded by all even though it was a long time in coming. Disappointing for him was that after scoring the winner v Zenit St Petersurg in the Round of 32 in the UEFA Cup, the first team let themselves down with a 3-0 defeat away.
After all the hard work and effort, and the fine evolving appearances in the first team, Callum finally received the recognition he deserved at international level in October 2017. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan (ex-Celtic manager) had been publicly reluctant to call up Callum in what was already a side dominated by Celtic players, but that was ridiculous. Injuries meant that Callum was called up last minute in the important matches to help qualify from the World Cup. It had been a great week past for him. Callum had played in the Champions League (a rare 3-0 win away v Anderlecht), scored a double v Hibs to save Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run and now this. It was all very much deserved.
He is a player who tries his heart out, wants to get better, listens to his coaches then improves rapidly. His finishing is outstanding and he scores in big games. His opening goal Motherwell in the 2-0 Scottish Cup final in 2018 was a crowning moment for McGregor, a fabulous low volley from outside the box which was world class. It was only bettered by his goal against Zenit in the Europa League. A notable big time player who also did turn up against all opposition. A total class act.
Wherever you played Callum McGregor all knew he would play well. In an article in The Scotsman he was once referred to as the “John O’Shea” of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic season, meaning he was the spare part who you could always call on to do a job. Tactically switched on and eager to run himself ragged, he would always be a reliable option.
Into 2018-19 season he became a pivotal player, and was even to be heralded by many as the best player in Scotland which was quite an accolade taking in the quality. It was a difficult season, but McGregor was key to push Celtic to the treble, and complete the incredible Treble-Treble. His goals, his commitment and dedication was matched only by Forrest.
As a measure of his worth, when Brendan Rodgers departed prematurely to Leicester before the end of the 2018/19 season, reports were that Brendan Rodgers had put in late bids of £15m to take Callum McGregor to Leicester. Thankfully, Callum McGregor stayed, and if anything in the current market place he was worth far more to Celtic than that valuation, possibly even priceless.
Neil Lennon Era
Like many others, McGregor seemed to come unstuck under Neil Lennon. He was still a driving force and helped Celtic to complete the incredible domestic treble for the fourth time in a row in season 2019/20, but the team was living off its laurels. He played in practically every game that season demonstrating his importance.
The season was curtailed due to covid, but he had his highest goal tally to date and helped create history at the club, so much to look back on fondly for himself. You could argue he had propped up a faltering side and was a keyman in the winning of this final treble.
Things turned negative the next season. Heavily under flak in 2020/21 season, but hardly the worst culprit in a disastrous season that saw Celtic collapse and end up empty handed. McGregor was off form but the managerial team during this covid impacted era was a shambles with Neil Lennon belatedly cut. The loss of Rodgers had hit McGregor badly as was now being shown.
On the other hand, despite the difficulties he was praised by AC Milan coach Stefan Piloi, whose side were riding high in Serie A:
“One player who has particularly impressed me is the midfielder Callum McGregor. He is a classic modern, dynamic midfielder and excellent technique. He is EVERYTHING you need.”
Additionally in the delayed Euro 2020 (played in 2021), he was one of the best Scottish players (yet sadly mostly unheralded), and scored the only Scotland goal as again Scotland failed in the group stages. Former Celtic manager Strachan commented on him on how McGregor was a sponge for knowledge on the game, and soaked in all the issues of the game, how defenders defend and attackers attack which showed McGregor’s self-development and intelligence.
Ange Postecoglu Era
He was appointed as the Celtic team captain in the new managerial era taking over from the departed Scott Brown, and he more than cemented his place in the side.
Whilst there was all change across the side under the new regime, one of the only standpoints was McGregor around whom the team was fully based. His role now as tinkered in that he was not playing an increasingly defensive midfield role as against the forward pushing player as he always was previously, but still leading by example. The side needed some steal as some of the new players were relatively a little more lightweight than before, and McGregor took it on his shoulders to strengthen the team.
The Celtic squad had to go through a major overhaul after the dire season past, but Postecoglu was able to rely on McGregor in the same way as Rodgers could on Brown. It made a big difference. Even when after injury he had to wear a mask on field due to a cheek fracture, he never let it get in the way and he still played the full games, which included key victories over Sevco. Former Rangers player Kris Boyd created controversy after criticising Sevco players for not targetting that injury to dampen down McGregor on-field! A disgrace from an ex-professional to call for such treatment.
Despite the upheaval, McGregor was developing under the new manager and clearly was one of the best players in the country, and if anything the rest of the squad learnt off him too. He had stepped into Scott Brown’s shoes and become the on-field leader and pivot to the side.
McGregor could have taken the easy route and gone to Leicester(following ex Celtic manager Rodgers) or another mid-table club down south for more money and an easier life, but he stayed, took on the armband and led the players on-field to further success. As a player, McGregor had now established himself as not only an elite ball player in Scotland but also as an elite defensive midfielder, taking over fully from Scott Brown.
Possibly the best example of his leadership was in the pivotal league victory over Sevco in April 2022, when after Celtic were down 1-0 after only a few minutes at Ibrox there was air of despondency. However, just a few minutes later, on being passed the ball in the middle of the opposition half, McGregor fought through a number of tackles to break into the opposition penalty box which created the equalising goal that set up Celtic for the comeback victory. He was a colossus at his best but an over reliance was also a weight on his shoulders as he compensated for the at times lightweight nature of the Celtic side. He’d stepped up to the challenge boldly.
Under McGregor at the helm on the field, Celtic strode on to an incredible league & league cup double in Postecoglu’s first season and then the treble in the next. McGregor was the crux of the team, leading by example and pushing the side forward. He scored the winner v Aberdeen (1-0 win), with a very late winner in December 2022, exemplifying the “We never stop mantra” ingrained by the manager. With McGregor on-field, it helped Postecoglu implement his major changes in tactics and emphasis on commitment. McGregor was well-suit to the high intensity and ball playing style expected on Celtic in this era, and Celtic duly gained from these changes.
He was to make history as the first player ever (along with James Forrest) to win five domestic trebles at a club, and he was deserving of each & every medal.
He has gone from being a young fan, Celtic boys club graduate, Celtic youth player, loaned out, written off by some in the early days, revitalised, a great winner and now a domestic treble winning captain at Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers second era (2023 onwards)
2023/24 season
Despite the change in management, one constant was always McGregor and his steadfast loyalty was wholly recognised by across all linked to Celtic. That’s not to denigrate any player who has moved on, but there is obviously an added emotional attachment between the support and those who stay long-term. An irony is that it was Brendan Rodgers returning as the manager, and he had actually wanted to take McGregor south to Leicester with him. Brendan Rodgers acknowledged that McGregor played a notable role in him opting to return to Celtic after some conversations.
On the field, McGregor was to be the bulwark of the side, in what was a turbulent season that saw a closer & tougher challenge from Sevco than was ever expected, with expectaions for where the league title would end up swapping between the two clubs at a number of junctions. The league title and Scottish Cup success were an incredible achievement for Celtic in this year of transition, and as the captain of the side he deserved all the praise. Other colleagues like Hatate, O’Riley and Carter-Vickers may have got most of the praise from most observers but McGregor deserved no less.
As a measure of his commitment to the side, Rodgers singled him out for doing the work of 2-3 players when results went against Celtic in Dec 2023. On the other hand, he had to take on too much responsibility for a single player. He repaid his manager in kind with a storming MOTM performance at the turn of that year in a 2-1 win over Sevco, leaving the pitch with the entire opposition midfield in his back pocket.
As injuries mounted up across the squad, McGregor often had to take too much on his shoulders, especially with Hatate lost for large stretches of the season. A decimated midfield with a under performing wingers was held together by McGregor for too much of the season.
When he himself was out injured for a spell it was a real hit, and a further sign of the deficiencies in cover within the squad. It’s no exaggeration that many were sweating over his loss, and his return was very warmly received.
Despite the high marks, McGregor inevitably was to end up off-form towards the end of the season, as the pressure and marathon of matches had undoubtedly had a wearing impact on him as much physically as mentally. Possibly he was rushed back from injury too quickly.
That was partially demonstrated by his part in the error (in part but not in whole) of the final goal conceded at the death in the 3-3 draw away to Sevco (Apr 2024). It was his return match after injury. Celtic still went onto to seal the league, but you could see his contribution in the final run was less than before, and he likely needed a break.
It was a tough and wearing down season, but it demonstrated more than any other to date his commitment to the club and the support.
2024/25 Season
[…]
Quotes
“Callum McGregor never gets a mention. We have all the stars, all the goals. This was a boy who was absolutely brilliant yesterday.”
Brendan Rodgers (2017)
“We know we deserve to be champions, that’s enough for us…”
Callum McGregor saying they don’t care there won’t be a guard of honour from Sevco (2019)
“That man (Calmac) is magnificent..If i could use him as an example to the Academy in Dundee..his decision making is phenomenal!”
Gordon Strachan (Feb 2020)
“One player who has particularly impressed me is the midfielder Callum McGregor. He is a classic modern, dynamic midfielder and excellent technique. He is EVERYTHING you need.”
Stefan Piloi (AC Milan manager) (Oct 2020)
“Broony and Cal ran the changing room. They were our captains and they never let anyone slack” and “Cal’s captain material. Cal will be captain”.
Tierney (2021)
‘Every Celtic fan would play with a broken face, so why not me?’
Callum McGregor on derby return from injury that affected his sleeping and eating, Celtic won 3-0 (Feb 2022)
“I love the club, I’ve committed my future here and I take it personally.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor (2022)
“A few words on Callum McGregor. Just a class player, an excellent leader and a top bloke. Led a newly constructed team in the post-Scott Brown age and did it brilliantly.”
Tom English@TEnglishSport
“Seeing where Callum is now, it all makes sense. I knew how much Celtic meant to him. I knew how much he meant to Celtic. Now he’s the leader at that incredible, almighty football club. Brown was unbelievable for Celtic, but even though Callum is a different type of player and person, he will also go down with legendary status.”
Shaun Derry, McGregor’s manager at Notts County tells BBC Scotland. (2022)
“I think he probably gets under-appreciated a little bit. I think if you really understand football, you understand how good he is. In another world he probably would be playing in the (English) Prem. But you know how much he loves this football club – he’d never leave. But yeah he could easily play top four or top six.”
Matt O’Riley on Callum McGregor (2023)
“He keeps the whole thing ticking over, keeps them organised. The full-backs end up playing inside instead of outside and he is orchestrating that. He is a great ally for Ange Postecoglou on the pitch.”
King Kenny Dalglish delighted with Captain Cal Mac (March 2023)
“I really enjoy watching him. He takes me back to my first time here. He’s such a special player for this team in so many ways, and for the club as a whole. From a psychological perspective, to have the desire, the mentality and the hunger to continually want to succeed is phenomenal really. I’ve played him in virtually every position bar goalkeeper and centre half in my two spells. He’s just tactically brilliant in the game. Putting him up one, you can see what he can do. He can get forward, he’s clever, he can link the game and he can get shots off. He’s got big quality to score goals – in my first time here, he was very, very good at that.”
Brendan Rodgers on Callum McGregor (Dec 2023)
“Every game means something when you play for Celtic.”
Callum McGregor
“It’s now time to show why you are a Celtic player and who is capable of being a Celtic player. We speak about this all the time, it’s never plain sailing.”
McGregor (Dec 2023)
“He’s an absolutely brilliant player. He was majorly influential in my coming back here,”
Rodgers (May 2024)
–
Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2014-15 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 31 |
| Goals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| 2015-16 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 34 |
| Goals | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2016-17 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 46 |
| Goals | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2017-18 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 55 |
| Goals | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 59 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 2019-20 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 52 |
| Goals | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| 2020-21 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 49 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021-22 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 52 |
| Goals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | |||||
| 2023-24 | |||||
| 2024-25 | |||||
| 2025-26 | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals: |
Honours with Celtic
[Indicate any known awards (player of the year, etc)]