Captain Callum McGregor believes Celtic possess a decisive edge in the Scottish Premiership title race 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 Hearts and two points shy of Old Firm rivals Rangers. Celtic, who have claimed 13 of the last 14 league crowns, will begin their post‑split fixtures on Saturday with a home clash against Falkirk, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
"I don't think I'd be doing my job properly if I didn't think we have the edge," McGregor said when asked about the team's prospects. "I see the Celtic squad every day, I watch how we train, and I know what we have already overcome this season – a bit of adversity, a change of manager twice, fighting back from a low point, reaching a cup final and now preparing for another." He continued, "There are plenty of signs that the group wants to win and that we have the quality to do so. When we are under pressure, we have historically produced big results, and I hope we can replicate that over the next five games." The captain highlighted the team's habit of scoring late goals as evidence of a winning mentality.
"We've netted a lot of late strikes, which shows the mindset to keep pushing until the final whistle," he explained. "I never walked into a training session thinking we were finished, nor did I ever look around the dressing room and see defeat. Instead, I saw every player still believing we can achieve our objectives – that belief has been crucial." McGregor praised the resilience and character of the squad, saying, "No one can question the group's toughness or its character – those qualities have been abundant throughout the campaign." Having amassed 24 major trophies with Celtic, the 32‑year‑old was linked with a move to Saudi side Al Qadsiah, where former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers now works, during the January transfer window. He has repeatedly stressed that his focus remains on adding more silverware to his collection with the Parkhead side.
"I've always said I want to stay at this club," McGregor affirmed. "I joined the academy when I was eight; Celtic is in my DNA and I carry that with me every day. I simply want to ensure the club continues to push, to be successful, and to drive forward." When questioned about the possibility of ending his playing days at Celtic, he replied affirmatively: "Absolutely. It’s a two‑way street – if the club believes I still have something to give, and the club, as I said, wants to keep pushing and achieving success, then this is where I want to be." He added, "When you experience success at a club like this, you develop a taste for it and you want to keep it.
You want to win every season and keep challenging yourself at the highest level possible." McGregor's comments come at a pivotal moment for Celtic. The team has endured managerial turnover this season, first parting ways with a long‑standing boss and then appointing a new manager who has already guided the side to a cup final appearance. Despite those disruptions, the squad has shown an ability to regroup and produce crucial results, particularly in the latter stages of matches. The captain also touched on the broader context of the Scottish Premiership, noting that the league's competitiveness has increased as Hearts and Rangers both press hard for the title.
"The race is tighter than ever," he said. "We have to stay focused, keep our standards high, and take each game as it comes." Celtic's upcoming fixtures after the Falkirk game include a series of challenging encounters that will test the team's depth and resolve. McGregor emphasized the importance of maintaining the current momentum: "We need to keep the intensity, the belief, and the hunger for trophies. If we do that, I have no doubt we can close the gap on Hearts and Rangers and finish the season strongly." In addition to his on‑field responsibilities, McGregor has become a vocal ambassador for the club's values, often speaking about loyalty, perseverance, and the importance of nurturing young talent within the Celtic academy.
His own journey from a youth player to captain epitomises the pathway the club aims to provide for future generations. As the season enters its decisive phase, Celtic fans will be looking to McGregor and his teammates to deliver the consistency and resilience required to mount a serious title challenge. With the captain's confidence and the squad's demonstrated capacity to bounce back from setbacks, the Hoops appear well‑positioned to keep the pressure on the league leaders and perhaps claim another championship banner for Glasgow. The match against Falkirk will be the first test of this renewed belief, and Celtic supporters will be hoping that the team's late‑goal habit and collective determination translate into a decisive victory that propels them further up the table.
The captain's message is clear: Celtic have the edge, the character, and the desire to succeed, and he intends to stay put and fight for more glory with the club he has called home since childhood.