Callum McGregor opens up on Celtic unrest, how it affects players and why this title would be special

McGregor has won the league title ten times during his 13-year senior career at Celtic Park, as well as landing eight Scottish Cups and six League Cups. However, the skipper is in no doubt that retaining the crown amidst a fierce battle with current leaders Hearts and Rangers would rank as one of his greatest triumphs.

Celtic are third in the Premiership, six points behind Hearts and two adrift of Rangers, albeit with a game in hand over both of their rivals. They failed to qualify for the Champions League after losing to Kairat Almaty in the qualifiers, lost the Premier Sports Cup final to St Mirren and have had three different managers this season - Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and current boss Martin O’Neill.

The campaign has been played out with a growing schism between the Celtic supporters and the club’s hierarchy, with fans accusing the board of mismanagement and failing to properly invest in the team. And at the end of Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Hibs, there were further calls for chief executive Michael Nicholson to leave, while during Thursday’s 4-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart, the match was interrupted by multi-coloured balls being thrown on to the pitch.

Celtic now face four away matches - including two trips to Rangers in the league and Scottish Cup - and McGregor is left in no doubt how big an achievement it would be for this current to squad to become champions in May.

"Yeah. I mean, they're all sweet, but I think we've probably had more challenges than normal,” said McGregor. “A lot of different factors, external noise, etc. So yeah, if you can come and call this one back, then I think it would be right up there."

McGregor also explained how the continued unrest at Celtic is affecting the players and the wider club.

"I think it's having an impact on the whole club, if I'm honest,” he continued. “So us as players, we have to try and salvage what is there, harness it, get the most out of it and get the most out of each other.

"And the players, it's their life as well. They're trying ever so hard, they're working ever so hard. I said to them before the game, we have to give everyone something to get off their chairs about. So I said it at the start of the season, performances and wins will bring harmony back. And that's the job of the players. Obviously everything else we can't control.

"But the bit that we can control is trying as hard as you can, trying to play good football and trying to win football matches. And that's been the message from me to the players the whole season. And I believe if we do that, and we do enough of it, then the harmony will come back.

“It's positive situations, obviously. Other games, our game, pushing, being the aggressor in the game, etc. All these things. That's what I'm talking about.

"We have to give them (fans) something to get behind as well. And that's all they want. They want a football team that's fighting and running and trying to win games. And that's when this stadium and this club is at their best. So we have to try and give them that."

Celtic ‘pretty much have to win every game’

With Celtic losing to Hibs on Sunday and Rangers being held to a 2-2 draw by Livingston, Hearts were the big winners over the weekend. McGregor fully anticipates more twists and turns, though.

"Yeah, I think if both teams won on Sunday, I don't think anybody would be saying there's any change,” reasoned McGregor. “The league is competitive, the top four, five, six teams are all good teams. And like I said, we've put ourselves under pressure to win some big games that normally you can afford draws here and there.

"But I think now we have to pretty much win every game. But there will be twists and turns, so the one thing for sure is that we have to stick together. I know there'll be a lot of anger and disappointment, but we're a long way from home. So we have to keep going, we have to keep fighting and we will do that.

"I think most seasons are like that [tight[ to be honest. There's obviously been a couple of anomalies that we've been way in front. But generally, the second half of the season is the one where, if you can put an unbeaten run together, then you've got a good chance. So I think we're in similar territory.

"In terms of outcomes and title races and all that, I don't think we can really be dragged into that. I think we have to simplify the game and start making the game easier for ourselves. And if we do that, then we've got a good chance.

"So for us it's now about detail, performance and giving absolutely everything you can. And then we'll talk about winning games and winning titles at that point. So we have to go back to the start point. And one, stop conceding goals. And two, make the game easier for yourself."

McGregor believes Celtic have to go on a winning run in their final 11 matches - but says the leaders will be targeting that too. "I think Hearts will be saying the same,” the 32-year-old midfielder added. “They'll be thinking we need to win every game as well. We all know we're good teams and anybody can beat anybody. We've shown that.

"So yeah, I think everyone will be thinking we have to win every game. So that's all I'm thinking about from our perspective is, can we simplify the game, can we make the game easier for ourselves? And if we do that, then I think we've got a good chance."