Everything that Callum McGregor said to the media after Celtic clinched the Scottish Premiership title with a 5-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park...
You’ve won a few of these…how does this one compare?
It feels just as good as the other ones. Winning becomes a habit and you never want to lose that feeling. The next trophy that’s up for grabs, you want to win it. When you do that and apply yourself properly, you can try and win as many titles as possible while you’re playing.
Brendan Rodgers has come through a difficult time in the past 12 months. He seemed very emotional in a way that we had not seen him in his previous spell. As club captain are you pleased for him? It takes the heat off him as it is a big moment for him.
I’m delighted for him. We spoke at length when he was coming back. You could tell instantly that this club meant everything to him. Once he was appointed, it’s been a massive goal of mine to make sure we win the league for him. I’ve known him from his time here previously and we had a brilliant time together. When you come back, everybody expects to hit the ground running. It never quite went like that. That’s when you see big characters come to the fore. He’s been unbelievable in terms of the direction he’s moved this group in. To come through the difficult spell we had, and to then be playing the football we did to win the league in big style at Kilmarnock, I know that gives him amazing comfort in terms of what we’re trying to build here.
The manager told us that you prepared for this game by going to Seamill. Do modern players appreciate stuff like that in terms of what it means and its history?
READ MORE: McGregor names only derby game Celtic didn't win as most important
Absolutely. That’s something we always make clear to the new players coming in, to understand the club and its history. You’re playing for the club, the badge and the supporters. I think the players are starting to understand that now with the performances we’re putting in.
The manager spoke about bursting through the tape and that was the definition of sprinting over the line, wasn't it?
I think that’s probably as good as we’ve been in terms of actually sealing the league. I think looking back over years and years of winning the league. That’s probably the best we’ve been in terms of sprinting over the line. The players deserve huge credit. We’re in a good place and we’ll continue to keep working hard and hammer home those messages.
It would be easy for you to take a rest with your Achilles. Do you want to keep the momentum going?
I think everybody will want to play. That's what happens when you are successful in football. Everybody wants to be on the pitch. I am starting to find a food rhythm. It is up to the manager to decide what team he wants to play but I am no different. I want to play.
James Forrest's timing could not have been better and do you think he could benefit both Celtic and Scotland?
Absolutely. He has made a big difference to the team as well in terms of his ball retention. James has been a big part of the team elevating their level in terms of how good he has been. Hopefully, he can keep pushing and play the last couple of games and you never know he might end up in the Scotland squad as well.
That's James on 23 trophies now and he is closing in on the record medal haul. You wouldn't bet against him achieving that the way he is playing now?
For sure. I just saw that he is now on 23 winners' medals. He deserves every bit of credit in the world for that. There have been some top players played at this club and to be up there pushing for accolades like that speaks volumes for how good he is, his professionalism, his mentality and how he has looked after himself. He deserves all the credit in the world.
You know the options we have in the Scotland squad. He would give us something we don't have, wouldn't he?
The system that the manager wants to play is a right-wing-back role. I'd never dream of telling the Scotland manager who to pick. James certainly has the quality and he could play in that position and give us a little bit more of an attacking threat. It would be amazing if he managed to get back in for the tournament. He's just got to keep pushing and knocking on the door and hopefully, he gets in.
How is the Achilles?
It is good. It is starting to get better again. I am heading in the right direction.
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