Callum McGregor

Up to 1950s competitions that counted were League, Scottish cup, Glasgow cup and various other major comps.
Between 1950s and late 80s European comps, league, league cup, Scottish cup and Glasgow cup counted.
After late 80s only European, league, league cup and Scottish cup has counted

 

Quotes from Callum today




Callum, it's been a while since you have had to experience these Champions League qualifiers. What's the feeling?

Yes, looking forward to it. The last couple of years, we've gone straight in, and maybe that takes a little bit of the anxiety out of the tie and what's at stake, but I feel the team are ready.

We've started the season well, building nicely. A good game for us. The first one being at home as well, can we maximise that as much as we can?

I just think the most important thing is, over the two legs, that we do enough to get through.

The last time it was a play-off round in the Champions League, it was Kazakhstan as well. What do you remember in terms of how important it is to make home advantage count?

Yeah, I was just saying that outside, actually. I think everyone's reference point will be the last time we played Kazakhstan opposition, and you sort of get this feeling where you have to win four or five-nil to give yourself a chance.

We played really well that night, but when we went away, we didn't play so well, and I think the biggest message for us is, can we control the tie over the two legs so it doesn't become chaos? If we do have a good night and have a good night in front of goal, then when we go away, can we be more solid? Can we not give up chances?




And I think at this level, the less amount of chances you give up, the more chance you've got of winning the game. So, we don't necessarily need a big score line tomorrow night. Of course, we want that, we want to be on the front foot, but over the two legs, can we be more controlled and bring our style to the game, which hopefully, if we do, then that'll be the outcome.

When you look at what you achieved in last season's Champions League, how much incentive does that give you to get back to that level and try and go again?

Yeah, absolutely. The club is determined to be in the Champions League. That's where the players want to be, that's where the club want to be. So now we have to earn the right.

Obviously, the last couple of years we've been straight in. Now, we have to earn the right the same way that everyone else has gone through the qualification process. They're all good teams when you get to this level, and you have to treat everyone with respect.

So, we know it'll be a difficult game. We have to be super organised, understand the game, understand the moments in the game, and then ultimately, can we have enough quality to progress?





You mentioned the readiness that you feel is in the squad at the moment. A lot of talk by supporters about the lack of signings in preparation for this match. How ready do you feel the squad are, and what is your message to those fans who want signings in the door?

Yeah, listen, everyone is impatient in football. Everybody wants the next new shiny thing, and that's just where we are. That's the way the world is.

Obviously, we have to keep progressing; we have to keep bringing in quality. And that's the one thing I will say is we have to add quality. We don't just want to add numbers for the sake of it because we're getting close to the window, and you think we need bodies; we need bodies. We need quality players.

The guys that are here, the guys that have done really good work in the last 12 months, we have to trust them as well. We have to trust the team. The team are in good momentum, got some good results last year in the Champions League, and we've started well.

So we have to trust the team that's there to go and do the job as well. And of course, like everyone, we want quality players to come in and add to that and help.

Do you feel there is more than enough quality in the squad at the moment to see you through to the league phase?

The answer to that question will be over the next couple of weeks. The thing for us as players, we can only concentrate on the game, concentrate on each other, be together, carry out what the management team are asking us to do.

We have full belief that if we play the right way and we show concentration and respect and all these things, then we will have enough quality to get through the game. Then obviously it's up to the club to keep supplementing the guys that are already here.




In terms of the guys who are already here, when you see them playing in the Allianz last year and whatnot. How much have you seen in general the squad evolve from the experiences and the learnings of last year?

Yeah, a lot. Hopefully, we can take that into the game tomorrow as well, because we speak about it all the time; the only way to get experience is to actually experience the games. And then when you get through them in a positive way, it gives you belief, the team grow in confidence, the players understand the game a bit more.

So when we get to this level, you have to be super concentrated. That's the only way, small details make a difference, and we've got a team that has been together now for a wee while. Obviously, adding players every year, but the core is there that have been through this sort of process now.

So, can we arrive in the game in full confidence and full belief that the Champions League is where we want to be? Then it's up to us to go and prove that over the two legs we've done enough.

Callum, what are your memories of the journey for the last time you went to Kazakhstan and how that may have affected you or affected the team in preparation for a match?

It was a while ago now, but obviously, the time, the amount of time you're on the plane, trying to adapt, time difference as well, is difficult, and you obviously have to do that in a short space of time.

So, I think the thing for the players is we have to just get our minds ready. Going there, is it ideal? No, but you're a professional footballer, you have to do everything you can to be ready for the game.

And as a squad, and like I said, once we arrive there, we have a job to do. And that's on us. So we have to be ready.

Is that a big part of it, the mental side? Because maybe as much as you guys build it up, and as maybe as much as we will talk about it as well, if you don't go into it with those worries and those fears of what it's going to be like and what effects it could have, that could potentially make it worse?

Yeah, I think like you say, sometimes you talk yourself into problems, and that can quite often be the case. We also have to be aware of the different things, and the guys will try and help us as much as they can. The sports science guys, all these people who are at the club, will try and help us as much as possible.

I think, like you say, when you're standing in that tunnel and you're ready to go and play the game, now it's on you and it's on the team. And again, the only people who can get us over the line are the players. And that's our responsibility.

So everyone else will help us as much as they can, but when we get there, it's on us, and we have to deliver.

How fresh and exciting did you feel the newly revamped 'League Phase' was last season, and how much of that is an incentive to get back in now?

Yeah, I really enjoyed it actually. I think everyone did.

Obviously, a little bit of a change in the competition and the sort of one-off games made them really competitive, whether you were at home or away. And of course the club want to be there. That's the top table. We want to be playing against the best teams, the best players.

Again, we have to earn the right over the next two games that we've done enough to be there. And then when we are, we can enjoy it, and that's where everyone wants to be and then again, hopefully go and test ourselves again.










Do you feel, Callum, that the club showed last season that that's where you belong at that level in Europe, in the League Phase?

Yeah, I think obviously with the coefficient and everything else, we found ourselves in there. We didn't have to play the playoff round. And then when you get there, it's now can you prove that you're a good team?

What we did last season is now in the past. We now have two games to get there. And I think if we do get there, then again the cycle starts. You have to prove that you're good enough to be in the competition.

So, I don't think the players take anything for granted. I don't think the club take anything for granted. We have two really tough games to get through, and if we do that and we show the right respect and everybody together, we'll prove that we can get over that hurdle, and then once we get to the League Phase then we can start from scratch again on that one.

There were some big nights here last season, Slovan at home, RB Leipzig at home. Is that the kind of level of performance you think might be needed tomorrow to get the result over two legs that you're looking for?

Yeah, yeah. I think we have to be strong in the game, aggressive, take the game to them, and use the crowd as much as we can.

Hopefully, we can produce a dominant performance and that'll set us up for the second leg.

You're one of the few players who have played in these qualifying matches before. What's your message to the teammates, and how does this pressure, this match, change from any other match?

Yeah, well, obviously we know what's at stake, the financial sort of implications that the game has for the club and all these things. You probably heard me speak about it quite a lot, that when we arrive in big moments, then, hopefully, the work that we do every single day prepares us for that moment.

So when we cross the line, the team know how to play, the team know how to function, and the pressure moments maybe don't get so much pressure on them. Like you say, I've been involved in this before, it's difficult, you have to manage the game over the two legs.

I think the group that's been here, the sort of core part of the group, we've been together for a while now, and we've played in big matches, we've played in Champions League games. So I think the players understand the level and where we have to be and the concentration to make sure that we get through the game, and obviously, that is the message.

We have to get there.

How big is this tie in setting up the rest of the season?

Yeah, it's obviously massive. I think when the club make Champions League, everyone gets a bounce off it, the supporters, the players, the manager, everybody. Big financial implications as well.

So it does, it really sets you up and has a real sort of feel-good factor. So, there's a lot on the games, but I believe the team are ready, the squad are ready, and now it's up to us to go and prove that.

Reflecting back on last season, did you have a favourite moment among the ten matches?

I think there were quite a few, actually.

I think the game here at home against RB Leipzig was a top, top-level performance. They came and pressed us, and everything about our game that night was at a really, really good level. And that was probably a big statement for a lot of people that we'd maybe turned a corner in these games. I enjoyed that.

Enjoyed the two playoff games against Bayern Munich as well. Going into their stadium, playing really well and being unlucky in the end, but I think you enjoy all of these games because they're glamour football, they're glamour ties, and it's a real test for the group.

So, like I said, our job over the next two games is to get there, and then hopefully we can build on that.

How have you found this season so far? Three important victories heading into this challenging schedule.

Yeah, well, that's it. You start the season, you want to try and build momentum as quickly as you possibly can. Three good games, good score lines, and minimal goals against as well.

So the team are building nicely and then, like you say, a big couple of weeks coming up. Hopefully, we can continue that growth and come through that period strong as well.

Callum, you've mentioned it's quite a tight-knit group. You and KT, and various others have experienced Champions League before. What about guys like Benjamin (Nygren), maybe young Dane Murray and others, how do you help them through with your experience of this level?

Yeah, I think we just try and get around them every day, show them the level, show them the experience, how we train, how we prepare properly.

And within the system, within the style of play that we've got, we really try and simplify it for the players so that they know exactly what's required of them. They know when the ball's coming, where the next pass is going to be. Defensively, where they have to be.

So the game model that we've got really sort of simplifies it for the group. And then hopefully our experience core can help the new guys through it, and like I said, I've been there before as a young player, you rely on the senior players as well.

So hopefully now we can be that for them and help them through the tie.

If you manage to make it through, it would be a fourth successive Champions League campaign. I know there is hope that we do have players further into the window, but do you feel this group can get to at least the same level as we got to last year, if not beyond?

Yeah, I think that has to be the belief within the group, within the players, within the club.

I know the guys are working really, really hard to try and add quality to the group. And of course, that's what everyone wants. You can't stand still; you have to continue to add quality to what is already a really good core of players and guys that have achieved a lot and experienced a lot.

So, our job is to get through the tie, and then we'll see where we get to after that.

What are you expecting from FC Kairat tomorrow?

We've had a little bit of experience before, playing against Kazakh sides. They're always big, strong boys in physical teams, who can run a lot, while having strength in the team as well.

They also have had some good, technical players at the top end of the pitch as well. We had a look at their recent games that they have played, so we have an idea of how the game will go.

Like I said, we have to show big respect to the team, but in the same sentence, we have to go after the game, be aggressive and try to bring our tempo to the game. Hopefully, if we do that, then we can show our quality and be successful in the game.

 

He’s exceptional in the media btw. He’ll absolutely want more players in, more quality in the squad. He acknowledges that very slightly but highlights how much the guys here should be backed majorly.

The squad here will * love that with all the noise of us being very angry about the lack of movement. Outwith 1 or 2 guys it’s not a slight at the players we have that, but they must listen to it and question themselves. He always makes sure to highlight how good the guys on the pitch are despite that. * leader

 

A proper shitebag half from him..

I was moaning just before his booking that he was jogging away whilst guys were running off him near the box, then he does that and fouls his man miles away at the next one..

It's happened loads. They've clearly seen he's a weak link to expose legs wise..

His passings been * poor as well and started no wanting it..

Probably could've been off..

 

Am I being too over dramatic by saying he should be ashamed of his performance tonight? Literally offered the back 4 nothing passing wise. Hid behind his man constantly.

 

Captain Shitebag.. as per usual in Europe.

 

Brendan will do absolutely nothing about it and McGregor will continue to play almost every second of every game from now until the end of his contract

 

Why the * is he always pointing

 

Mad that there’s still a sizeable chunk of people out there who will still defend him to the hilt.

He’s a massive, massive problem.

 

They made it their aim to keep him out of the game and he had no answer to it. Poor performance.

 

Tierney was hiding too at times. Weird to see. We shat it

 

Hes done, has been a while, plays ok against the dross but completely hides, shirks im europe and the huns. Never ever benched, a huge problem in the team.

 

Utter *.

 

Someone post that up. He literally ran miles away and hid behind Someone when no one was offering, until Hatate did..

He showed a lot of bad traits tonight. Terrible to see..

 

Crying out for a proper CDM for years

 

Drop CalMac for Engels, can't be as bad as CalMac and at least we'd get decent corners