“We know how to win games. So everybody is calm,” Callum McGregor | OneFootball

Celtic captain Callum McGregor joined teammates James Forrest and Anthony Ralston at a new community coaching event at the recently opened Barrowlands training facility and all three spoke to Sky Sports about today’s huge match in the capital against league leaders Hearts…

“The reality is that negativity comes when you’re not winning games of football,” the Celtic captain told Sky Sports on Friday afternoon after the crucial Europa League win over SK Sturm Graz . “So the best way to affect that is to win games of football on a regular basis.

“We had a really good night last night. It was a good performances and we were much more like ourselves. Now we have to use that as the catalyst to move forward and take it into Sunday’s game.

“Obviously it will be a tough game but we go there with confidence that we can win the game. Then the whole thing starts to move really, really quickly with a big few weeks ahead.

Callum McGregor of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“The players are okay, the players are fine. We know our job and we’ve been here a long, long time. We know how to win games. So everybody is calm and we just focus on performance and winning matches.

“Everything else will come along with that,” Callum McGregor said.

Celtic v Motherwell Scottish Premiership 05/10/2025. James Forrest 49 – Celtic arrives ahead of the match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on 5 October 2025. Photo Raymond Davies PSI

James Forrest and Anthony Ralston also spoke to Sky Sports at Barrowfield of Friday afternoon as Celtic invited the mainstream media to the new indoor training facility which opened recently.

This reason for the visit was the launch of a community coaching event partnership between Celtic and JD Sports at the newly inaugurated Barrowfield Training Centre, which ‘highlights a shared commitment to youth development, grassroots football, and local community engagement, reinforcing a passion for shaping the future of the game.”

The club added:

On Friday over 100 young players, boys and girls aged 3-12, hit the brand-new Barrowfield Training Centre for a bespoke coaching session led by Celtic, bringing together talent from the Celtic Soccer Academy and the local community.

The atmosphere got even livelier, the moment Celtic players Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston, Morgan Cross and Adelaide Gay made their surprise appearance.

Morgan Cross scores for Celtic FC Women. Hearts 1-2 Celtic FC Women, 17 August 2025. Photo AJ The Celtic Star

Jumping straight into drills and matches, and photos moments, while DJs spun beats. A day packed with energy, smiles, and unforgettable moments.

Closing out an unforgettable day, the young players were recognised with certificates, gifts, and a special Q&A with the Celtic coaches, who dropped plenty of pro tips and inspiration.

Following the successful event, Joseph Simpson, Head of Partnerships at JD said: “We are so pleased to commit to a further long-term association with Celtic, one of the world’s great football clubs.

“We’ve strengthened our ongoing partnership with this iconic club, and today was all about celebrating their brand-new Women’s and Academy training facility — a space dedicated to these players.”

As part of this fantastic extended partnership announced today, JD will connect with Celtic’s Soccer Academy to deliver a further range of kids’ community football programmes, to be hosted at Barrowfield, inspiring the next generation to follow in the footsteps of so many Celtic greats.

Today marked just the first of many initiatives designed to bring the club, sport, and community even closer together, underpinned by JD’s ongoing efforts, to drive youth Forever Forward.

A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is delighted to agree this fantastic new long-term arrangement with JD Sports which will ensure we continue our long-standing relationship with a leading sports brand with such huge presence across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.

“JD’s commitment to the club will now extend for a number of years and we are so pleased to continue to work with such a high-quality partner.

“We are pleased too that JD will be making this commitment to our wider community through a range of really exciting programmes, an area of the club’s work which they have already supported in Ireland.”

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain available from celticstarbooks.com

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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