“You have to find way to win games of football,” Callum McGregor | OneFootball

Callum McGregor insists it was a harsh call to disallow his goal during Celtic’s season-opening 1-0 win against St Mirren…

The 32 year-old Hoops skipper believed he had opened the scoring in the 68th minute. Following a VAR check, the goal was overturned due to a handball in the build-up.

Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates with Celtic captain Callum McGregor after scoring to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, McGregor said: “Obviously, it’s harsh if you’re going by the ruling and it touches your arm. I thought it was quite high up. But listen, the guys look at it on VAR, and you just have to accept it. Some you get, some you won’t get.”

In the final moments of the match, super-sub Luke McCowan secured the all important three points for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

“The most important thing is that we found a way to win,” McGregor said. “It doesn’t matter who scores the goals. Luke has been amazing since he came back in pre-season. He’s looked on fire, and he gets his goal today.

“You have a few instances where it hits the bar and it hits the post. I think the good thing is we were creating chances, we created enough chances probably to win two or three games of football. That’s what good teams do, they find a way to win.”

“It’s 38 league games, you want to play brilliant football, it’s not always going to be the case. You have to find way to win games of football and this squad is generally very good at that. There’s always more to come, but I think it’s a good start.”

The Scottish champions will now prepare at Lennoxtown this week for Sunday’s lunchtime clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates with teammates Callum McGregor & Johnny Kenny after scoring to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 03 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace. IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

The clock is also ticking for Celtic to sign players in required areas. With a two-legged Champions League playoff on the horizon coupled with a trip to Ibrox at the end of the month, the board must give the manager the best possible chance in these fixtures – and he certainly deserves to be backed.

It’s not as if the club is short of funds.

Here are the highlights from the Flag Day win over St Mirren on Sunday, which are now available on Celtic TV…

Conor Spence

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Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered and don’t worry, your copy will be signed by the legendary Celtic and Scotland star who captained Celtic for the early years of the 1980s.

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Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

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