McGregor excited to ‘build something special’ with O’Neill at Celtic

There may be speculation over Callum McGregor’s future at Celtic, but he is hoping to “build something special” with Martin O’Neill.

The Celtic captain has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent months, potentially to link up with former manager Brendan Rodgers, who is currently in charge of Al-Qadsiah.

McGregor came through the academy at Celtic before making his first-team debut in July 2014, making 576 appearances since then.

He has also won 26 major honours with the Bhoys – 11 Scottish Premiership titles, including the last five seasons in a row, seven Scottish Cups and eight Scottish League Cups.

And though McGregor has been linked with the exit door, he insists he is motivated to deliver more success under O’Neill.

“All amazing guys who gave absolutely everything for the club and the cause last season,” he told the club media when asked about the permanent return of O’Neill.

“Especially second time round, it would have been easy to stay away, and they took that challenge.

“That tells you the type of people they are. They like a challenge; they face it head-on. That’s exactly the way I am as well as a player and a person.

“So, to see them back in the dugout and everybody back together gives that nice feeling that we can move forward and build something special.”

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Last season, Celtic won a league and Scottish Cup double, snatching the former with a dramatic final-day victory over Hearts.

O’Neill has previously said he does not expect McGregor to leave, and the 33-year-old says he has not lost his enthusiasm to keep winning.

“That’s the job of a Celtic player, that you don’t get tired of winning,” he added.

“We have set ourselves an unbelievable standard over the last 14 or 15 years, being successful, winning numerous titles and trophies, and trying to push all the time in European football to be as good as we can be.

“And all that does is bring bigger expectations, a bigger target on your back, so you then have to work even harder to defend it.

“The players and the core group that have been here for a long time understand that, and they have to drive that level.

“As a Celtic player, you can never ever be bored of winning and trying to be the best that you can be, and trying to improve individually and collectively.”