Captain Callum McGregor did not mince words when reflecting on Celtic’s 3-0 loss to Rangers in the Scottish League Cup quarter‑final. Speaking after the match at Ibrox, he contrasted what he perceived as a cohesive Rangers side with what he described as a “team of individuals” at Celtic.
“You saw a team and a team of individuals,” McGregor said, emphasizing that Rangers operated as a united unit while Celtic appeared to be a collection of players each doing their own thing when they had the ball, but failing to work together when out of possession. He added that the lack of collective defensive effort made it impossible to hold back a side that could press with all eleven players. The defeat came on the back of another disappointment in Europe. Celtic had entered the Champions League qualifiers against Austrian club LASK with a comfortable 4‑0 lead from the first leg, only to see that advantage evaporate as they lost the tie 5‑4 on aggregate.
The twin setbacks have put the Glasgow club under intense scrutiny, with supporters and pundits questioning the team’s mental resilience and tactical discipline. Looking ahead, McGregor acknowledged the urgent need for a swift turnaround.
Celtic are scheduled to host Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by a crucial Scottish Premiership showdown against Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. “We’ve put ourselves under pressure,” McGregor admitted. “We need to respond on Thursday and then again on Sunday.
We have to get to the level we know we’re capable of, and we have to do it quickly.” He stressed that the message to his teammates is clear: Celtic must become the team they aspire to be, one that can win the big games that define a season. “We lost a big game against LASK and another big game on Sunday, and that’s not acceptable,” he warned. “There will be more important matches throughout the campaign, and if we want to be regarded as a good Celtic side, we have to win those games.” McGregor reminded everyone of Celtic’s historic reputation for rising to the occasion in decisive fixtures.
“One thing we’ve always done is win big games and turn up when it matters,” he said. “So far this season we’ve been bitty in games, and we need to fix that.” Reflecting on the recent loss to Rangers, McGregor expressed concern that the situation could have deteriorated further. He recalled the moments when the scoreline reached three goals and warned that allowing the margin to widen to four or five would have been catastrophic. “As soon as the goals go in, I’m telling Cameron Carter‑Vickers and Liam Scales, no more goals,” he explained.
“We need to tighten up. Of course we always want to get back into the game, even when we’re down 3‑0, but you have to understand the circumstances. Being beaten 3‑0 with good goals against you is one thing, but if it starts to run at four or five, then you’re talking about a completely different ball game.” The captain’s comments underline a broader narrative within Celtic’s camp: a pressing need to improve defensive organization, increase collective work rate, and restore the winning mentality that has defined the club for decades.
The upcoming Europa League tie against Ferencvaros offers a chance to reset, while the domestic clash with Rangers will serve as a litmus test for whether the team can translate words into performance. Celtic’s supporters will be watching closely, hoping that McGregor’s candid assessment sparks a renewed sense of purpose across the squad. The club’s recent European exit and domestic cup disappointment have highlighted vulnerabilities, but they also present an opportunity for the players to rally around a common goal: to become a true team, not a collection of individuals, and to reclaim the standards expected of one of Scotland’s most storied football institutions.