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McGregor Stays at Celtic, Aims to Finish Career with Club as O'Neill Leads Title Charge
Callum McGregor, Celtic’s long‑time captain, has confirmed that he intends to finish his playing career with the club. In an April interview with Sky Sports, the 33‑year‑old said he wants to help Celtic win the Scottish Premiership “in a bit more style” and that he will lead the team in the season opener against Dundee at 19:30 BST.
McGregor, who has spent his entire professional career at Celtic except for a loan spell at Notts County in 2013‑14, said the club is “the football club that has been part of my whole life.” He added that he will drive the team to success and that he wants to leave the club in a good place.
Celtic’s 2025‑26 season was a mixed one. Under Martin O’Neill, who returned to the club in October 2025 after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, Celtic won the Scottish Premiership on the final day of the season and then defeated Dunfermline Athletic 3‑1 at Hampden Park to claim the Scottish Cup, completing a domestic double. O’Neill’s appointment followed a brief interim spell by Wilfried Nancy and a period of managerial instability.
The club’s supporters expressed frustration over a perceived lack of spending and the failure to reach the Champions League group stage, after a loss to Kazakh side Kairat Almaty. Chief executive Michael Nicholson said the transfer market was difficult because Celtic were competing with English Championship clubs for players and dealing with agents.
McGregor acknowledged those challenges, noting that the squad had to overcome “circumstances that made it more difficult than in past seasons.” He praised the group of players and staff who pulled the team through the difficult period and said the club would continue to build on that foundation.
Celtic’s transfer activity has seen several key departures. Japan forward Daizen Maeda left for Ipswich Town, striker Kelechi Iheanacho rejected a new contract and signed for Turkish club Bursaspor, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel retired, and loanees Marcelo Saracchi, Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara and Benjamin Arthur returned to their parent clubs. In response, the club signed Camilo Duran and club‑record signing Kasper Hogh, both of whom bring Champions League experience.
The team will also prepare for a Champions League play‑off in August, with the opponent to be confirmed on the draw day. McGregor said Celtic were well‑placed to compete both domestically and in Europe, adding that the club had signed “two really good players” and that they had the makings of a strong squad.
Celtic’s 2025‑26 campaign has already seen the club secure the league title and the cup, but the focus now is on maintaining that momentum into the new season. The team’s next match is the season opener against Dundee, after which they will face the league’s top teams and prepare for the European play‑off.
In summary, Callum McGregor has reaffirmed his commitment to Celtic, expressing a desire to finish his career with the club and to help secure further silverware. With Martin O’Neill at the helm, a refreshed squad featuring Hogh and Duran, and a Champions League play‑off looming, Celtic aim to build on last season’s success while navigating a challenging transfer market.
The club’s upcoming fixtures will test the new lineup, and the next few weeks will be crucial as Celtic seek to defend their domestic titles and progress in Europe. Fans will watch closely to see whether the team can sustain the performance that secured the double in 2025‑26 and whether McGregor’s leadership continues to drive the club’s ambitions.
McGregor, who has spent his entire professional career at Celtic except for a loan spell at Notts County in 2013‑14, said the club is “the football club that has been part of my whole life.” He added that he will drive the team to success and that he wants to leave the club in a good place.
Celtic’s 2025‑26 season was a mixed one. Under Martin O’Neill, who returned to the club in October 2025 after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, Celtic won the Scottish Premiership on the final day of the season and then defeated Dunfermline Athletic 3‑1 at Hampden Park to claim the Scottish Cup, completing a domestic double. O’Neill’s appointment followed a brief interim spell by Wilfried Nancy and a period of managerial instability.
The club’s supporters expressed frustration over a perceived lack of spending and the failure to reach the Champions League group stage, after a loss to Kazakh side Kairat Almaty. Chief executive Michael Nicholson said the transfer market was difficult because Celtic were competing with English Championship clubs for players and dealing with agents.
McGregor acknowledged those challenges, noting that the squad had to overcome “circumstances that made it more difficult than in past seasons.” He praised the group of players and staff who pulled the team through the difficult period and said the club would continue to build on that foundation.
Celtic’s transfer activity has seen several key departures. Japan forward Daizen Maeda left for Ipswich Town, striker Kelechi Iheanacho rejected a new contract and signed for Turkish club Bursaspor, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel retired, and loanees Marcelo Saracchi, Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara and Benjamin Arthur returned to their parent clubs. In response, the club signed Camilo Duran and club‑record signing Kasper Hogh, both of whom bring Champions League experience.
The team will also prepare for a Champions League play‑off in August, with the opponent to be confirmed on the draw day. McGregor said Celtic were well‑placed to compete both domestically and in Europe, adding that the club had signed “two really good players” and that they had the makings of a strong squad.
Celtic’s 2025‑26 campaign has already seen the club secure the league title and the cup, but the focus now is on maintaining that momentum into the new season. The team’s next match is the season opener against Dundee, after which they will face the league’s top teams and prepare for the European play‑off.
In summary, Callum McGregor has reaffirmed his commitment to Celtic, expressing a desire to finish his career with the club and to help secure further silverware. With Martin O’Neill at the helm, a refreshed squad featuring Hogh and Duran, and a Champions League play‑off looming, Celtic aim to build on last season’s success while navigating a challenging transfer market.
The club’s upcoming fixtures will test the new lineup, and the next few weeks will be crucial as Celtic seek to defend their domestic titles and progress in Europe. Fans will watch closely to see whether the team can sustain the performance that secured the double in 2025‑26 and whether McGregor’s leadership continues to drive the club’s ambitions.
