Captain Callum McGregor insists that Celtic enjoy a favourable position in the Scottish Premiership title contest and has firmly dismissed any speculation about his own exit from the club. The Glasgow side currently sit in third place, three points behind league leaders Heart of Midlothian and two points adrift of Old Firm rivals Rangers, positioning them within striking distance of the summit. Celtic, who have dominated Scottish football by clinching 13 of the last 14 league championships, are set to begin their post‑split schedule on Saturday with a home fixture against Falkirk, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. McGregor, reflecting on the team’s recent form and mindset, said, "I don't think I'd be doing my job properly if I didn't believe we have the edge." He went on to explain that his confidence stems from daily observations of the squad’s training routines and the challenges they have already overcome this season.
"I see the Celtic team every day, I see how we train, I see what we've overcome already this season in terms of a little bit of adversity, changing manager twice, fought back from where we were, we were in a cup final, we're in another cup final," McGregor remarked. He highlighted the resilience the group has shown after two managerial changes, the ability to recover from setbacks, and the fact that they have already reached a domestic cup final and are preparing for another. According to McGregor, the signs are clear that the players are eager to win and possess the capability to secure victories when it matters most. "So I see enough signs that the team want to win, they can do enough to win," he said.
He added that when the squad has been under pressure in the past, they have delivered significant results, and he hopes this pattern will continue over the next five games. The captain also pointed to Celtic’s propensity for scoring late goals as evidence of the team’s relentless mentality. "We've scored a lot of late goals, so that tells you the mentality is there to keep going and keep going," he observed. McGregor emphasized that he never entered a training session believing the season was lost, nor did he ever see a lack of belief in the dressing room.
"I never went into training one day and thought that we were gone. I never ever looked inside the dressing room and seen the players and seen the way that they were and the one thing that struck me was everyone still thinks we can do this and that has been such an important thing," he explained. He praised the character and resilience of the group, stating that these qualities are abundant within the squad.
"I don't think anyone can point the finger at the resilience of the group or the character of the group. I think that's been there in abundance," McGregor asserted. McGregor, who has amassed 24 major trophies during his tenure at Celtic, was linked in January with a potential move to Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah, where former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers now works.
The 32‑year‑old captain, however, made it clear that his focus remains on adding more silverware to his collection while staying at Parkhead. "I've always said I want to be at this club.
I've come through since I was eight years old. It's in my DNA. It's something I carry with me every single day. I want to be here," he said.
The captain underscored his deep-rooted connection to Celtic, noting that his upbringing within the club’s youth system has forged an identity that is inseparable from the team. He continued, "I just want to make sure that the club continues to push and want to be successful and want to drive.
And obviously having conversations with the guys upstairs, that is something they want to do. So for me, then this is the place I want to play." When asked whether he envisions ending his playing career at Celtic, McGregor responded affirmatively, explaining that his decision hinges on the club’s assessment of his contribution and their ongoing ambition. "Yeah. It's obviously two‑fold, where if the club think I've got something to offer, and then obviously the club, like I said there, they want to keep pushing, they want to keep being successful.
The one thing you do get when you're at this club is when you have a taste of success, you want to keep it. And you want it every single year and you want to keep pushing and trying to play at the highest level you can," he concluded.
Beyond the immediate title race, McGregor’s comments reflect a broader narrative about Celtic’s culture of perseverance, the importance of maintaining a winning mentality, and the club’s desire to remain at the pinnacle of Scottish football. As the season enters its decisive phase, the captain’s confidence and commitment to the cause serve as a rallying point for both teammates and supporters, reinforcing the belief that Celtic can still mount a serious challenge for the championship and continue their tradition of dominance. The upcoming match against Falkirk will be a crucial test of the team’s resolve, offering an opportunity to consolidate their position in the league and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
Fans will be watching closely, hoping that the combination of experience, resilience, and late‑game determination that McGregor highlighted will translate into the results needed to keep Celtic’s title hopes alive.