Captain Callum McGregor did not mince words when reflecting on Celtic’s 3-0 loss to Rangers in the League Cup quarter‑final at Ibrox. The Scottish international highlighted a stark contrast between what he described as a cohesive unit on the Rangers side and a fragmented collection of players on the Celtic side.
\n\n"You saw a team and a team of individuals," McGregor said, emphasizing that the difference lay in the way each side approached the game. He noted that Rangers operated as a single, well‑drilled entity, whereas Celtic appeared to be a group of individuals each looking after their own responsibilities.
"We looked like a team of individuals who like to do our own thing and play when we got the ball, not necessarily run when you don't have the ball," he added, underscoring a lack of collective defensive effort. \n\nThe defeat was particularly painful because Celtic entered the match unbeaten in seven domestic fixtures this season. Yet, the lack of unity on the pitch left them vulnerable, especially when defending without the necessary numbers.
"You can't defend with six players, it's impossible," McGregor lamented, pointing to the defensive frailties that were exposed throughout the game. \n\nThis loss follows a recent disappointment in Europe, where Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers after surrendering a 4‑0 first‑leg advantage to Austrian side LASK, eventually losing 5‑4 on aggregate.
The back‑to‑back setbacks have put the club under considerable pressure to respond quickly. Celtic are set to host Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, and then face Rangers again in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. \n\nMcGregor stressed the urgency of turning things around: "We've put ourselves under pressure, we need to respond on Thursday and then we need to respond on Sunday but we very quickly need to get to the level," he said.
He called for a collective effort to reshape the team's identity, stating, "We need to find a way to do that quickly because we lost a big game against LASK and we lost another big game on Sunday and it's not acceptable." McGregor reminded his teammates that success in big games is essential for the club's reputation: "There'll be other big games throughout the season and eventually you have to win one if you want to be considered a good team." \n\nReflecting on Celtic’s historic approach to high‑stakes matches, McGregor recalled the club’s tradition of rising to the occasion: "If we want to be a good Celtic team then we'll have to win the big games. One thing we've always done is win big games and turned up when it mattered." He admitted that this season the side has been "bitty" in crucial moments and that this inconsistency must be addressed immediately. \n\nThe memory of the Austrian defeat still lingers, and McGregor warned that the damage could have been even more severe if the scoreline had widened further.
"Yeah, you don't want fours and fives for sure," he said, emphasizing the importance of limiting the damage after conceding early goals. He urged his defensive colleagues, Cameron Carter‑Vickers and Liam Scales, to tighten up: "As soon as the goals go in, then I'm saying to Cameron Carter‑Vickers and Liam Scales, no more goals.
We need to just tighten this up." \n\nDespite the 3‑0 deficit, McGregor insisted that Celtic should never abandon hope, even when trailing heavily. "Of course we always want to get back in the game, we always want to be a team that, even at 3‑0 down you still want to have a chance," he affirmed. However, he also cautioned that allowing the opposition to score multiple goals changes the dynamics of the match entirely: "But you have to understand the circumstances as well, well beaten at 3‑0 with good goals against you, but if it starts to run at fours and fives then you're talking about a different ball game." \n\nLooking ahead, the captain’s message is clear: Celtic must rediscover the unity and determination that have defined the club’s most successful eras. The upcoming fixtures against Ferencvaros and Rangers will serve as immediate tests of whether the squad can transform from a "team of individuals" into a true collective capable of competing for trophies.
The onus now lies on the players, coaching staff, and the broader club structure to address the tactical and mental shortcomings highlighted by McGregor, and to ensure that future matches are approached with the cohesion and resolve that Celtic fans expect.