Callum McGregor faced an enormous challenge two years ago. This summer, it’s threatening to be an even bigger task.
Captain McGregor could almost end up being the most important person in the entire football department when Celtic regroup for pre-season. When Ange Postecoglou walked into the club, he had to instill a brand-new philosophy. Any new boss needs his senior players to drive home their messages and keep the group on track.
With a clearout coming, McGregor was among the few who were staying. Taking the armband from talisman Scott Brown, he was the new leader. Postecoglou spoke openly about the vital importance of his on-pitch lieutenant during the critical opening stages of his Celtic life as he delivered. McGregor, at least, had the back-up of familiar faces such as No.2 John Kennedy and coach Gavin Strachan. But with Postecoglou having targeted that duo to join him at Tottenham, it could be an entire coaching unit which is changing and not just the top man. If that’s the case, McGregor, with assistance of others such as Joe Hart, will have to rapidly bond it all together. Smooth another transition and infuse a whole new set of ideas into a squad by leading impressively again from the front.
Postecoglou had the bonus of a club legend in McGregor to help that process. Now the new guy will need him just as much. Maybe even more so. When Postecoglou was still trying to implement his changes results didn’t come instantly but the skipper didn’t flinch.
Back then McGregor stated: “A lot of new players are coming together and we have to make that bedding in period as quick as possible. It’s important that we don’t go into our shell and start to panic a little bit. We know where we want to get to. It requires hard work, concentration and bravery.
“There is always a panic button moment and everybody jumps on it. We can’t lose focus. The only way we are going to get better and progress is if we stay calm and listen to the manager and continue to build on the performance.
“The manager had to adapt. But you don’t get time to adapt at Celtic. You have to win.”
McGregor led the process. By the time Postecoglou got on his flight bound for North London, he’d lifted five trophies out of six. Such was the enormity of the rebuild at Celtic two years ago, the Aussie was working mostly with his own signings within only a couple of months. Unlike Postecoglou, though, the next gaffer is not going to have a dressing room which is full of his own men.
The Spurs boss has left behind a dressing-room full of individuals ensconced into his playing style. If the new guy wants to change that philosophy he’ll have do it quickly and he’ll need his McGregor to lead it.
Paul Lambert has been there. He’s been a Celtic captain. He’s seen big changes. From Wim Jansen, to Dr Jozef Venglos, to John Barnes, to Kenny Dalglish, to Martin O’Neill. Lambert, now 53, knows the responsibility that will sit upon McGregor, 29, when the new boss arrives and is adamant there is no-one better to help facilitate the imminent change.
He insisted: “Callum really knows the club inside out and he says all of the right things at the right times. He talks about the club having to win regardless of who is in charge and who is actually playing there.
“It seems a good group of guys there now who know the pitfalls of when a manager does well or doesn’t that he’ll move either way. I heard Callum’s interviews after the game last weekend [Scottish Cup Final] and he knows that you don’t get time to enjoy success because, before you know it, it is on you again.
“That’s the great thing about Callum, he will know that whatever happens and whoever is in charge, you need to get started quickly. That’s the nature of the game at a big club.
"The demand is: Well, whoever comes in, we help the new manager and we go and try to win games. You have to grab that really quickly as a Celtic player and the manager will know himself he needs to.
“The good thing is the new manager will be going into a club which is really strong structure-wise. Whoever goes in there is not going into somewhere that is in disarray. The club is in a really good place.
“Celtic are also in a good position to strengthen their first-team squad, so whoever gets the job, I think they will be grateful due to the size of the club and the players that are already there.
“As I said, Callum knows all of that. You don’t get that time to win, so whether you are a manager or a player, it has to happen.”
