What Callum McGregor takes from Celtic’s point in Zagreb

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The Celtic Star

·12. Dezember 2024

What Callum McGregor takes from Celtic’s point in Zagreb

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor gave his assessment of the Hoops’ goalless draw against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday evening at the Maksimir Stadium…

Stefan Ristovski with Callum McGregor prior to the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

A landmark night for Celtic’s captain

It was a landmark night for captain Cal who significantly reached 100 European appearances as a Celtic player in Croatia’s capital. Speaking to TNT post-match, McGregor explained he and his teammates did not reach the attacking levels they have done so far this season and thus did not merit three points, “I think probably the way the game panned out in terms of the control in possession and everything else. I think if we’re honest, we probably didn’t do enough to win the game; when you come away and you’re comfortable it kind of feels like a missed opportunity.”

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"At this level, we're now a team that other teams want to respect" 🙌 Callum McGregor reflects on Celtic's draw against Dinamo Zagreb... 🎙️ @DannyJamieson 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK
– Dienstag, 10. Dezember 2024

“We probably didn’t do enough”

“I think if we’re really honest, we probably didn’t do enough to deserve to win the game, so we know there’s a bit of work to be done there. Overall, another point, it keeps us moving in the right direction, with two games to go the objective is there for us.”

Reiterating the point of creating very little, Celtic’s midfield general said, “I think also at this level, the teams you’re playing against are good teams and they defend well and they’re all physical boys that can run and defend.”

Celtic dominating the games

“Even though you’ve got a lot of the ball, the game was set up for little duels, little actions where it’s maybe a bit of magic that can win the game. Obviously, in a difficult night, pitch a little bit bobbly as well, then that can happen, but I think the good thing is at this level now, [we’re] dominating the games.”

Callum McGregor is put under pressure by Martin Baturina during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

We’ve only lost one game in six

When asked on what the target is for the remaining two matches in January against firstly BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park and then Aston Villa in Birmingham, McGregor responded, “the objective is there, we’ve done really well up to this point. We’ve only lost one game in six, so it shows that we’re getting better all the time. The two game shoot-out at the end is where we want to be and hopefully we can do what we set out to do.”

Echoing the words of the skipper, Celtic’s tally of nine points from six games in the revamped 36-team format is impressive. A victory against bottom of the table BSC Young Boys is all that is required for a famous knockout playoff round spot.

Callum McGregor is put under pressure by Martin Baturina during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

The team will now look ahead to the Premier Sports Cup final versus theRangers on Sunday afternoon at Hampden Park where the first piece of silverware of the season is up for grabs.

Conor Spence

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