Arne Slot backs Alexander Isak following the transfer saga (Credits: Imago Images)
Celtic captain Callum McGregor has firmly ended speculation about his future at Parkhead, declaring emphatically that the club is exactly where he wants to be.
The midfielder had raised eyebrows towards the end of last season by warning he would not remain at Celtic if the club’s ambition failed to match his own.
His comments came during a tense title race with Hearts that went to the final day of the season, with Celtic ultimately retaining the championship.
McGregor had been candid about his expectations, saying he did not want to be a Celtic captain who was not winning anything or trophies.
“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,” McGregor said at the time.
“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.”
Those comments sparked summer transfer links connecting McGregor with former Celtic managers Brendan Rodgers at Al Ettifaq and Ange Postecoglou at Al-Nassr, both based in Saudi Arabia.
However, Celtic’s recruitment activity this summer appears to have reassured the skipper, with the club signing Colombian striker Camilo Duran and breaking their transfer record to land Kasper Hogh.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McGregor made his position crystal clear, describing Celtic as a club that has been part of his entire life since the age of eight or nine.
“It’s where I want to be, it’s where I want to play football,” he said, adding that his focus remains on driving the club toward continued success.
McGregor praised the two new signings, noting that Camilo had already settled in impressively and that Hogh had joined within the previous 24 hours, calling both positive steps.
He also reflected warmly on the squad that navigated last season’s difficult title challenge, crediting their collective character and desire to improve.
“What we do have here is guys who want to work for the club, who are good footballers, who want to get better and ultimately did bring success to the football club during a difficult season,” McGregor said.
The captain also set out his clearest statement of ambition yet, identifying Champions League football as the benchmark Celtic must continually strive to reach.
“We have the makings of a really good team but the standard for us is trying to get to Champions League football,” he said, urging the club to keep pushing toward that level.
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