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. "You saw a team and a team of individuals," he said, drawing a stark contrast between the cohesive unit Rangers displayed and the fragmented performance of his own side.
Celtic entered the match on the back of an impressive run – they were unbeaten in seven domestic games across all competitions – but the Old Firm showdown exposed deep‑seated issues. McGregor was blunt: "It wasn’t us. The difference between the two sides was you saw a team and then you saw a team of individuals as well. Rangers were a team and you could see that.
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 – that’s the thing you can’t do when you come here. You can’t defend with six players, it’s impossible." The criticism came on the heels of another disappointment in Europe, when Celtic’s Champions League qualifying campaign ended abruptly.
After building a 4‑0 lead on aggregate against Austrian side LASK, the Hoops allowed a dramatic comeback, losing 5‑4 on aggregate. The twin setbacks have left the club’s leadership and supporters questioning the squad’s mentality and tactical discipline. Looking ahead, McGregor knows the next few fixtures are crucial.
Celtic host Hungarian club Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, and then they face Rangers again in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday at Celtic Park, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. "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," McGregor warned. "But trying to get the message to everyone that we have to be the team that we want to be.
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." He emphasized that consistency in big‑game situations is essential for a club of Celtic’s stature. "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. 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 turn up when it mattered.
So far this season we’ve been bitty in games and we need to fix it." McGregor also reflected on the psychological impact of conceding multiple goals in quick succession. Recalling the LASK defeat, he said, "Yeah, you don’t want fours and fives for sure. 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. 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.
But you have to understand the circumstances as well – beaten 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." The captain’s remarks underscore a broader narrative that has been developing at Celtic this season: a talented roster that often looks disjointed when the pressure mounts. Tactical cohesion, defensive organization, and collective work‑rate have been cited as areas requiring urgent improvement. The coaching staff, led by manager Brendan Rodgers, will need to translate McGregor’s candid observations into concrete training drills and strategic adjustments.
Fans, too, are feeling the sting of disappointment. The club’s historic dominance in Scottish football has set high expectations, and a series of lackluster performances threatens to erode confidence.
Yet, McGregor’s outspoken leadership may serve as a catalyst for change. By publicly calling out the lack of unity, he is forcing a conversation that could galvanize the squad and remind everyone that success hinges on a shared purpose rather than isolated brilliance.
In practical terms, the upcoming Europa League tie against Ferencvaros offers a chance for redemption on the continental stage. A disciplined defensive shape, coordinated pressing, and a clear game plan could help restore belief. Following that, the domestic showdown with Rangers will be a litmus test for whether Celtic can translate lessons learned into a more unified performance.
Ultimately, the message is clear: Celtic must shed the perception of being a “team of individuals” and re‑establish themselves as a cohesive unit capable of grinding out results in high‑stakes matches. The next few weeks will be decisive, and the captain’s forthright critique may be the spark the club needs to ignite a collective resurgence.