Callum McGregor has had a stellar season at Celtic this term.
The captain is the influential presence within the changing room and that was never more clear than when McGregor was missed vs Rangers so much.
McGregor has so many admirers within the squad at Celtic as Auston Trusty explained how the skipper conducts himself to keep fit in particular is a message on how to do things right.
Cameron Carter-Vickers also revealed what McGregor is like behind the scenes as the American and Hoops vice captain takes his mate’s lead.
Callum McGregor says retiring from Scotland has helped Celtic
McGregor is arguably a player of the year contender alongside Daizen Maeda and the 31-year-old has put his form down, in part, to the fact that he can fully focus on his club football having retired from Scotland duty.
“I think (I have seen the benefits),” he told Celtic TV when asked if that has helped him. “I think mentally as well, the breaks within the season with international stuff, you go away, come back and you feel full of energy.
I’ve been feeling good, performances have been good as well, goals return good, assists good, the team in general has functioned a lot better from 12 months ago.
“I think everything is in a much better place and that’s our job to keep pushing and pushing and trying to get the most out of each individually and the team in general.
McGregor’s thoughts on Celtic’s other player of the year candidate
McGregor’s season has been excellent but the best player throughout has got to be Daizen.
The Japanese international has notched 30 goals and made fans think ‘Kyogo who’ and his captain has been delighted with how the versatile attacker has come up trumps this year.
“He’s been unbelievable. That’s what confidence gives you, he’s scoring a lot and every time he goes through on goal the whole stadium expects him to score,” CalMac added.
“That’s, one, credit to him and his calmness and ability in front of goal and then the team that we’re getting him into those positions where he’s finding himself regularly in the box and getting his finishing.
“Through the middle is a little bit of a different role but he’s been fantastic and he’s filled the void Kyogo left who was a top striker as well.”
