”It’s fast attacking football and a never say die attitude,” Callum McGregor | OneFootball

Celtic captain Callum McGregor spoke to Celtic TV shortly after the vital 2-1 midweek victory over Livingston at Celtic Park…

Celtic are in action again this afternoon as Martin O’Neill’s side travel down the M77 to face Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock side at Rugby Park.

07.02.2026 Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup 5th round. Callum McGregor at the end of the match applauds the Celtic support. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Here’s what Callum McGregor had to say as he reflects on the unique challenge that this season presents…

“I think anyone who comes into the club sees the way we train and the intensity we train at every day,” Calmac said. “The message of the team is the same – keep going and be relentless, and it’s not by luck or by chance that we’re scoring so many late goals.’

“It’s the mentality in the team, that never-say-die attitude and everybody buying in to what exactly it is we want to do, because the games are tight and we need to keep going and going.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Celtic reacts at the final whistle with Callum McGregor Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 11 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO/Shutterstock

“The impact from the new guys and the impact from the bench has been so important and will continue to be like that. Credit to the guys coming in because it’s not easy to settle quickly, but what we try and do is give them the team idea and the team message.

“Hopefully the bits that are in place when the new guys come in, they just feed off that and everyone keeps going and keeps learning the system and producing the moments of quality that we do need.

“So it’s been great for the new guys to come in and have such a big impact.”

The Celtic captain was full of praise for the job that Martin O’Neill has done in his two interim spells in charge of Celtic during this craziest of campaigns.

“He’s brilliant, he’s very honest and he’s very down the line,” Callum McGregor said.

“He tells you when it’s good, he tells you when he wants more, but he’s got an amazing feel for Celtic – when you understand Celtic and you understand what it’s about – it give you that feel to say the right thing at the right time, and he’s had an amazing impact on the players.

Sean Maloney arrives at the Falkirk Stadium. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“Obviously Shaun and Foz and Gav and Mick have been doing a lot of the training, but the manager just comes in and sprinkles that dust on top and he’s an amazing man-manager and he is getting the best out of the group, individually and collectively.

Mark Fotheringham arrives at the Falkirk Stadium. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“So he’s been amazing over the two spells so far and you can see that the boys are fighting for him. Like I said, he’s a brilliant man and he tells you exactly what you want to hear.”

Celtic v Falkirk 29.10.2025 Scottish Premiership. Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, Gavin Strachan and Mark Fotheringham Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

On today’s match, which effectively is one Celtic really need to win given the later match at Ibrox will see one or both title rivals drop points, Calmas gave this assessment.

“It’s momentum now,” the Celtic captain said. “You need to keep winning games and doing everything you can – training well, recovering well, and then when the games come, doing everything you can to win them.

Neil McCann and Kris Boyd. St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“Killie have had a change of manager. Neil McCann was at Dundee a few years ago as well and we played against his teams – they do like to open up and play, so hopefully we’ll get the chance to press the ball properly and try and impose ourselves on the game, but all these games at Rugby Park are always tough.

“You’ve got to take on the conditions with the astro pitch, but I’m sure that, come Sunday, the boys will be ready for it.”

Here’s Celtic’s interim Assistant Manager Shaun Maloney talking to Sky Sports…

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