Brendan Rodgers has revealed the secret but vital role Callum McGregor played in helping him return to Celtic.
Rodgers is back to replace Ange Postecoglou on a three-year deal after Hoops supremo Dermot Desmond pulled out all the stops to get his man. Chief executive Michael Nicholson and finance chief Chris McKay jetted out to Mallorca to meet with Rodgers almost two weeks ago, before the Irishman flew to Glasgow in order to have face-to-face talks with Desmond.
But now the new gaffer has revealed a lunch date with McGregor helped seal the deal. The captain, who was a major part of Rodgers' team during his first trophy-laden spell in Glasgow, is now the dressing room leader and also hopped on a plane to the Spanish island as part of the bring back Brendan project, giving Rodgers the lowdown on the current squad and how he felt they were ready to keep the trophy train going at full speed.
“He was pivotal back then, just seeing a young player develop," Rodgers told Celtic TV. "I’ve obviously seen him when I left and just seeing him continue to make that growth was really pleasing.
“And I have to say he was a big part of my decision to come back as well, because I had a lunch with him for a few hours in Majorca, and just understanding the squad and where it was at and what he felt the club was at, he gave me some great feedback that the group is hungry, it’s young and ready to keep pushing forward.
'And for me Callum’s an absolutely brilliant player on the pitch, his brain, his view of the game is right up there with the very, very best I’ve ever worked with.'
“He’s robust, he plays many games, he’s the ultimate professional, but within that he has a great humility. So I’m absolutely delighted that coming back here, he’s the club captain."
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