Captain delighted to help fire Hoops to Hampden victory

In partnership with

Celtic F.C.

·20. April 2025

Captain delighted to help fire Hoops to Hampden victory

Callum McGregor set Celtic on their way to another Scottish Cup final with the opening goal of the semi-final clash with St Johnstone at Hampden.

It was the Celtic captain’s 10th goal of what has been another impressive campaign for him, and sparked a flurry of goals which saw the Hoops run out 5-0 winners on the day.

OneFootball Videos

The victory over St Johnstone sets up a cup final clash with Aberdeen at Hampden next month, and an opportunity to retain the trophy.

It could also be a day when Brendan Rodgers’ side could clinch another domestic treble, should they seal the Premiership title, something the Hoops will be looking to do next weekend.

Those are considerations for another day, however. For now, McGregor is content to reflect on an impressive display at the National Stadium, which also saw him named Man of the Match.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, the Celtic captain said: “In the first-half it was very, very good – four goals and it probably could have been more as well, but the team started with that intensity again.

'Semi-finals are always difficult. They come and make it difficult for you to break them down and so the first goal is always important.'

“Once we got the first one we started to click into gear again, and probably that 10-15 minute period before half-time takes the game away from St Johnstone.

“So it was excellent – ruthless in the way that we’re working. Another five goals and we arrive into a final and we’ll have that to look forward to at the end of next month.”

McGregor’s contribution in midfield throughout the season has been a key factor in the success the team has enjoyed, both domestically and in Europe, and that includes the 10 goals he’s now scored.

And with six games remaining of the current campaign, he’s edging ever closer to his best ever tally of 13 goals, which came in the 2019/20 season.

He’s also one of three midfielders, alongside Reo Hatate and Arne Engels, on 10 goals, a sign of the scoring contribution across the time.

“It’s nice, playing at the base of midfield, so it’s good numbers,” the Celtic captain said. “Sometimes you have those wee spells where you hit things and they just seem to go in, so it’s always nice to contribute.

'Like I said, the first goal in a semi-final is always important.'

"That broke the deadlock for us and gave us a good platform in the game to go and finish it off, so a really good day’s work and we’re happy that we’re into a final.

“Now we can take care of the rest of the games and it’s obviously a big chance when we come back at the end of May to get another trophy.”