Brendan Rodgers has labelled Callum McGregor the 'heartbeat' of the Celtic team as he hailed his new contract as 'amazing news' for the club.
The influential Hoops skipper has put pen to paper on fresh terms at Parkhed until 2028 - keeping him tied down to the club for at least five more seasons. The 30-year-old joined the Scottish champions at the age of just nine as part of the youth academy and has went through all the levels to reach the very top as captain of the first-team.
The midfielder, who has won 20 trophies to date as Celtic player, including five domestic Trebles, made his top team debut in a Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik back in 2014 and has since made 420 top team appearances, scoring 62 goals. Rodgers, back for a second stint after replacing Ange Postecoglou, can't wait to work with the Scotland internationa l again branding him an 'inspirational player'. He says his midfield star is 'undervalued immensely' and it is not until you work with him at close quarters daily you recognise the real qualities he has both as a player and an individual.
READ MORE: Celtic skipper Callum McGregor signs new deal as Hoops star extends stay until 2028
He told the Celtic website : “It’s amazing news for the club, for the supporters and for the players, but as a manager it’s extra special to have someone of that quality captain the team.
“Callum’s just such an inspirational player and I’m absolutely delighted to working with him again.
“He’s a player that’s undervalued immensely and it’s not really until you work with Callum that you really recognise the real qualities that he has, firstly as a player because that’s the priority, to develop him as a footballer, but also as a person because he’s a great man, and it’s been great to see that development, from the time I was first with him and now coming back four years later and seeing him evolve even more.
'"He’s the heartbeat of this team. He’s taken on the responsibility of being captain of a worldwide institution with great effect and we’ll look to continue that development.'
“At 30 years of age he’s still got a lot that he can win and still lots of improvements to make, and I know that he’s hungry to do that.
“What’s most important is that he’s there for the team. He always has been and now, as captain of the club, he’s a real selfless leader and for me to have someone lead the team like that and be my coach on the field, it’s a great privilege to work with him.”
