Callum McGregor optimistic despite defeat in Denmark | OneFootball

Celtic captain Callum McGregor is looking ahead to the rest of the season, despite a “difficult start” and a 3-1 loss at FC Midtjylland…

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic reacts after conceding 1st goal Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 Nov 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark. Photo Michael Zemanek Shutterstock/IMAGO

The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Celtic were downed thanks to three first half goals from the Europa League leaders. A late penalty from Reo Hatate was little consolation to a side who were comfortably second best in Herning. Despite the setback, however, McGregor is remaining optimistic about the Bhoys’ hopes across domestic and European action.

“It’s been a difficult start,” the Celtic midfielder said, “and there’s been a lot thrown at us, but we’re still in all the competitions. It’s only early November, so the challenge is to keep winning and pick up enough points to be where we need to be.”

In a period of transition for the club following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation and facing a six-point deficit to league leaders Hearts, the captain bluntly stated that work had to be done on the side’s results.

Photo KAROL POLIT/ newspix.pl

“We still have a long way to go, I think that’s obvious. Nothing’s been solved after what was a really good game at the weekend.

“You come away here against a really good side… who know what they’re about – it was always going to be difficult. There’s a lot to work on, a lot of growth still left in our team. We know where we are and we know where we want to get to.”

Following 120 minutes of football at the weekend, it was clear to see the squad were tired coming to western Denmark, giving up eight shots in the first 15 minutes. McGregor was quick to emphasise that every club experiences fixture congestion in modern football, telling reporters that it’s “the bog standard for playing at a big club.”

“The big game at the weekend takes a lot out of you,” he added, “but you have to find a way to get into the game.”

Looking ahead to the weekend’s fixture at home to Kilmarnock, the captain emphasised the importance of heading to the international break on a positive note.

“All league games are important now, but maybe this one especially – can we win it and then everyone goes away on a high?” the ten-time league champion said. “When you come back [from international duty], you’ve got that feel-good factor to run into what is a busy schedule. So yeah, it would be nice to finish with a win.”

Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side have four games left in the Europa League’s first phase, with visits to Feyenoord and Bologna, as well as home ties against Roma and Utrecht.

Cameron Archibald

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Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain  Danny McGrain PLUS you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, and you’ll only be charged for postage on one book.  Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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