Callum McGregor 'still not over' Celtic Scottish Cup heartbreak as skipper using 'horrible' Aberdeen defeat as fuel
The skipper also paid a touching tribute to late Lisbon Lion John Clark
Callum McGregor admits he'll NEVER fully get over Celtic 's Hampden heartbreak but is hell-bent on using it as fuel once the action resumes.
The skipper saw his effort saved in the penalty shoot-out as Aberdeen claimed Scottish Cup success for the first time in 35 years. Brendan Rodgers ' Hoops, back in for the start of pre-season training on Friday, still walked away with the Premiership crown and League Cup.
But McGregor said: 'The way it ended was a real sore one and everyone watching could see that. It shows the players care, it shows how much it means to us.
'So to finish on that was a little bit horrible. You have to try to process it over the close season. But when you reflect back and take stock, another two trophies, a really good run in the Champions League, some really good football, high-level performance consistently.
'There are certainly a lot of positives to take from it. Again the only negative is the way it finished, it kind of puts a dampener on everything. But when we look back it's been another positive season and we have to now draw a line under it, we come back with full energy again and we attack the new season from scratch, day one ready to go.
'For sure, it took a while to not get over it because I don't think I'll ever fully get over it. It's the ones that you lose that stick with you more than the ones that you win.
'So all it's done is given me more fuel and more fire to achieve more and continue to win things for Celtic. That's the positive I'm taking out of it.
'I don't think I've fully got over it but I think I've now managed to use it as fuel to drive myself forward and drive the team forward. We have to draw a line in the sand now and it's a new season.'
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, returned to Lennoxtown at the end of a week in which Lisbon Lion John Clark died at the age of 84.
The 32-year-old added: 'A hugely significant figure in the club's history, hugely significant person as well. Everybody who met him and came across him will tell you how humble and nice a man he was.
'Especially when I was young coming through the academy he was someone you looked at, you saw him pretty much everywhere you went, he was always here, he dedicated his life to Celtic.
'And it's only right that we remember him in the best possible way. My condolences, my sympathy go to his family as well because it will be a tough period for them.
'I just want them to know that everybody at Celtic, all the players, all the staff, are thinking of them as well. John was an amazing person and someone who was really important for the young guys like myself coming through.
'You saw him, you knew how important he was, he always took the time to stop and speak to you and make you feel part of the club. That was the real special thing about John was even long after he stopped playing, he was such an important and special figure for the club.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
30 minutes ago
- Metro
Man Utd eyeing bargain Onana replacement for as decision made on keeper's future
Manchester United are looking to get rid of Andre Onana during the summer transfer window and have a bargain replacement on their list of potential replacements. The Cameroonian moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023 from Inter Milan in a deal worth an initial £43.8m. The 29-year-old has been a fixture in the starting XI since then, already racking up 101 appearances for the Red Devils, but has not especially impressed. Despite his substantial transfer fee, and coming with plenty of top level experience at Inter and Ajax, Onana has made a number of significant mistakes and not convinced the United hierarchy that he is the long-term answer in goal. As a result, the Red Devils are open to letting him go this summer, preferably on a permanent transfer, but on loan if needs be. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. The Athletic reported that a sale will be difficult as Manchester United will need to receive at least £26.3m for him to avoid a deal going down as a loss in Profit and Sustainability (PSR) terms. After a ropy couple of seasons in the Premier League, achieving that transfer fee seems unlikely. Onana's salary is also an issue, with interested parties also struggling to match his wage demands, despite a reduction after Manchester United failed to qualify for the Champions League. The Sun report that Monaco have inquired as to the goalkeeper's availability, but will not be able to cover his wages, even in a loan deal. Asked about his own future at a charity event in Burkina Faso earlier this month, Onana said: 'Will I leave? I don't know, we'll see.' The Cameroon international's future hangs in the balance, and Manchester United are considering replacements if they can do a deal to get rid of him. Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor is on their shopping list, reports the Sun, and is available at a very cheap price. The 29-year-old Brazilian is available for just £6m this summer and would not demand the colossal wages of the current Manchester United goalkeeper. A move to the Premier League would represent a huge step up for the Botafogo star, whose only European experience came on a loan to Spanish side Valladolid in the Segunda Division in the 2023-24 season. Otherwise he has not played outside Brazil and has never been capped by the national side. However, he has won Serie A and the Copa Libertadores with Botafogo and has impressed in the ongoing Club World Cup, including in a win over PSG. Goal Brasil reported that the release clause set at just £6m was put in his contract to keep him at the club for the Club World Cup after there was significant interest in him from Europe in January. More Trending That interest has only increased, although the report from earlier this week stated that Manchester United were yet to make contact over a possible deal. Also touted as a target for the Red Devils is Porto stopper Diogo Costa, although he would be a considerably more expensive option as his release clause is set at £64m, although may be allowed to leave for closer to £51m. Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, with reports suggesting the Argentinian is keen on the transfer. MORE: Sporting dig out Man Utd star in new Viktor Gyokeres message to Arsenal MORE: Jonathan David transfer odds: Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Co up against it in race for Lille striker MORE: Arsenal agree personal terms to sign fourth transfer target for Mikel Arteta
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Serie A outfit Como ‘push to sign £8.5m-rated Celtic treble hero' just days after club's Nicolas Kuhn interest emerged
The Italian club already have one former Celtic star in their squad for the new season STAR MAN Serie A outfit Como 'push to sign £8.5m-rated Celtic treble hero' just days after club's Nicolas Kuhn interest emerged AMBITIOUS Serie A club Como's interest in Nicolas Kuhn emerged a few days ago. Now, they're reportedly going all out to land a one-time Celtic treble hero. Advertisement 5 Como are interest in signing Nicolas Kuhn Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 Cesc Fabregas is the Como head coach Credit: Getty 5 He's hoping to land Carl Starfelt from Celta Vigo Credit: Getty 5 Starfelt (left) won five major honours with the Hoops Credit: Kenny Ramsay Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, are looking to build even further upon their impressive 10th placed finish in Serie A last season. It was their first campaign back in the top division having been promoted as Serie B runners-up the season before. They've been busy in the transfer market already, with £15million midfielder Martin Baturina arriving from Dinamo Zagreb along with ex-Celtic defender Alex Valle who joined permanently from Barcelona after a loan stint. Como have now also reportedly agreed a bumper £23m deal to sign Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis. Advertisement But it doesn't look like the bumper arrival of the 19-year old winger will ease their interest in Kuhn, with Como reportedly looking to add two key players in the position this summer. Italian reports claimed a few days back that the club had opened negotiations with Celtic over Kuhn, who's also of interest to RB Leipzig, a club where he spent time as a youth. With Valle already in the door and Kuhn of interest, a THIRD player with Celtic links is also on the club's radar. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla claimed on Thursday that Como were interest in signing Carl Starfelt. Advertisement A few days on, he's now reporting that they are ready to 'increase the pressure' to get a deal for the Swedish centre-back over the line. Starfelt, 30, spent two years with Celtic between 2021 and 2023. Jacynta out with Starfelt in plush Swedish restaurant Forming a formidable centre-back pairing with Cameron Carter-Vickers, he helped the Hoops to a league and cup double in his first season at Parkhead. The Hoops went one better the following campaign by completing the treble under Ange Postecoglou. Advertisement Less than three months after that triumph, Starfelt moved to La Liga and signed for Celta Vigo in a £4.3m transfer. But now a move to Italy looks a real possibility. Pedulla's fresh report says Como are 'continuing to push' for Starfelt and are ready to pay big money to sign him. He claims Starfelt's valuation is around £8.5m. Advertisement 5 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea hold new stadium talks with Mayor of London as club considers switch
Chelsea have a potential site in mind if they end up leaving Stamford Bridge, and the Mayor of London has urged the club to hold conversations over what comes next Chelsea have opened talks with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as they continue to make plans for a potential stadium move. There has been speculation over a move away from Stamford Bridge in the past, to no avail, but new plans have begun to tentatively take hold. Former owner Roman Abramovich looked at a number of potential locations before his own departure in 2022. Plans for a move haven't changed under Todd Boehly's ownership, with the American recognising the capacity limitations of the Blues' current home. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea held meetings with officials following an invitation from the mayor himself. The club are exploring a site on Earl's Court in West London, though a spokesperson for Khan indicated no formal plans were known to the elected official. 'The mayor is unaware of any recent formal proposals from the club for the Earl's Court site," they said. "The mayor and TfL can only form a view once they have seen the details of any potential proposals.' Back in May, shareholder Hansjorg Wyss indicated the Earl's Court site would likely suit the club best. "Earl's Court would be the best option we can even think of. If it's going to happen," he told Chelsea Fan TV. Chelsea's current home has a capacity of just over 40,000 - making it significantly smaller than the grounds of some of their Premier League rivals. In sending out an invitation for contact, Mayor Khan cited the size of the ground in relation to the club's objectives. "My message to Chelsea is come and speak to us in relation to what you want to do," he told The Times in April. "Chelsea are the victims of their success, and Stamford Bridge is now too small for them. After all, this is a team that has twice won the Champions League. "We work closely with all seven of our Premier League clubs but I'm sure Chelsea look with some envy at the stadiums some of their rivals in London have. We're really keen to make sure that Chelsea, as we are with all our clubs, continue to flourish and thrive, so we're open to talking to Chelsea about what plans they have. At the moment they've not approached us. But we're here.' Back in March, Boehly suggested divisions over the club's future stadium plans could even see members of the ownership group go their separate ways. 'We have to think long term about what we're trying to accomplish,' the American told Bloomberg. 'We have a big stadium development opportunity that we have to flesh out. And that's going to be where we're either aligned or we ultimately decide to go different ways.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
