Captain Callum McGregor did not mince words when reflecting on Celtic’s 3‑0 loss to Rangers in the League Cup quarter‑final. "You saw a team and a team of individuals," he said, drawing a stark contrast between the cohesive unit that Rangers displayed and the fragmented performance of his own side. Celtic entered Ibrox having gone unbeaten in seven domestic matches, yet the encounter with their Old Firm rivals exposed a glaring lack of unity.
McGregor was unequivocal: "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 defeat follows a painful Champions League qualifying exit at the hands of Austrian side LASK, where Celtic surrendered a 4‑0 first‑leg advantage and were ultimately knocked out 5‑4 on aggregate.
The double setback has left the Glasgow club under intense scrutiny, with fans and pundits alike questioning the squad’s mentality and tactical discipline. Looking ahead, Celtic will host Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, before hosting Rangers again in a Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday, both fixtures televised live on Sky Sports.
McGregor 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. 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. 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." He reminded his teammates of Celtic’s proud tradition of rising to the occasion in crucial moments: "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. So far this season we've been bitty in games and we need to fix it." Reflecting on the LASK collapse, McGregor warned that the damage could have been even worse. "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, we were 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." McGregor’s comments highlight a deeper issue within the squad: a tendency to drift into individualistic play rather than operating as a synchronized unit. This lack of cohesion was evident not only in the defensive lapses that left them vulnerable to Rangers’ attacking thrusts but also in the midfield’s inability to retain possession and dictate tempo. When a team fails to move as a single entity, gaps appear, and opponents can exploit those spaces with relative ease. The captain’s remarks also underscore the tactical reality that modern football demands collective pressing, especially when out of possession.
"You can't defend with six players, it's impossible," he observed, pointing to the necessity of coordinated defensive effort. In high‑intensity matches, especially against a well‑drilled side like Rangers, a fragmented defensive shape is quickly punished.
Beyond the immediate tactical concerns, McGregor’s statements carry a psychological message. By publicly calling out the “team of individuals” mentality, he is attempting to galvanise his teammates, fostering a sense of accountability and shared purpose. Such leadership can be pivotal in turning a season around, as players respond to the call for unity and collective responsibility.
Celtic’s upcoming fixtures will serve as a litmus test for whether the squad can internalise McGregor’s critique and adjust accordingly. The Europa League tie against Ferencvaros offers a chance to rebuild confidence against a less formidable opponent, while the domestic showdown with Rangers will be a direct measure of any improvements in cohesion and defensive organization. If Celtic can translate McGregor’s candid assessment into concrete changes on the training ground—emphasising coordinated pressing, disciplined defending, and a unified attacking approach—they stand a chance of restoring the winning mentality that has defined the club for decades. The road ahead is steep, but with clear leadership and a renewed commitment to playing as a single, cohesive unit, the Hoops can still salvage their season and re‑establish themselves as a force capable of competing on both domestic and European stages.