Callum McGregor has made it clear that he wants to stay at Celtic — provided the club matches his ambition.
Set to turn 33 in June, the midfielder was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January to play under former boss Brendan Rodgers at Al-Qadsiah.
Despite staying put, the future of the player, who’s contracted until 2028, remains a source of speculation ahead of a major reboot of the squad this summer.
Breaking his silence on the matter before the title run-in, McGregor has made it clear that he wants to remain at Parkhead in the long-term — but only if he sees evidence of a plan to return the club to its former glories.
‘I’ve always been the same, I want to be at Celtic,’ he revealed. ‘So, as long as the club want me there and as long as the club’s ambition matches my own in terms of playing at the highest level…
‘For probably half the time I’ve been here, we’ve been playing in the Champions League or been in the Europa League, which is a really good standard of football as well. So, we have to continue to push and be as good as we can possibly be.
Callum McGregor was speaking ahead of the crucial post-split run-in and Scottish Cup final
‘I don’t want to sit here and be a Celtic captain who’s not winning anything. And I’ve been honest with everyone in that conversation. The people inside the club know it.
‘If we’re not going to be the best version of Celtic then I don’t want to be the guy who’s not winning any trophies. That’s not me and not who I am.
‘But, also, if you are going to push, I don’t think there are many more people who would put themselves in the firing line more than me, in terms of what they deliver for the club, what they do, and what they’re willing to do to bring success.’
In a revealing interview, McGregor was asked if he would make his position clear to the hierarchy once the season was over. But he replied: ‘We’ve already had that conversation. I’ve made my feeling known that I want to be here, so it’s kind of on the club.
‘I know what you have to do to be successful here as a leader and player. But you need all the other components to match up with that as well.
‘The minute Celtic don’t want me here then I’ll be moved on, it’s as simple as that. But my stance on it — and I’ve told everyone this — is that I want to be here. That’s where I am.’
On what would happen if the club wanted to keep him but didn’t show the ambition he’s looking to see, McGregor said: ‘Then that’s obviously a different conversation as well, isn’t it? But I want to be here. So, let’s try and find a solution to that first.’
