Callum McGregor has played down talk of a possible Celtic departure and insists there is no truth in claims linking him with a reunion with Brendan Rodgers at Al Quadsiah.
Reports had suggested Rodgers was keen to lure his former skipper away from Parkhead, with a big-money offer thought to be on the table for the 32-year-old. Speculation grew further after McGregor’s reduced media appearances in recent weeks, fuelling rumours that a move could be on the horizon.
However, speaking after Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle, the midfielder was quick to shut down the suggestion and made it clear he is not going anywhere.
Asked directly about the links, McGregor replied that he remains fully committed to Celtic. He admitted the past period has been challenging, but stressed that the difficulties have been shared across the squad.
He explained that when a team has enjoyed sustained success, any downturn in form is always tough to deal with. According to McGregor, that chapter is now behind them and the focus must be on pushing forward.
The captain also praised the impact of the coaching staff since Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham returned, describing the response from the group as excellent. For him, attention is now firmly on the run-in and finishing the season strongly.
Celtic twice held the lead in Edinburgh but saw the match swing after Auston Trusty was sent off, allowing Hearts to press home their advantage and level through Claudio Braga.
Despite that, McGregor believes the frustration felt in the dressing room says a lot about the mindset within the squad.
He pointed out that drawing matches while playing with ten men against both Bologna and Hearts has still left the players disappointed, which he sees as a positive reflection of their standards and ambition.
McGregor added that the title race is likely to go down to the final weeks and stressed the importance of staying in touch with those around them in the table. Given the circumstances at Tynecastle, he accepted the point was valuable, even if the team felt they could have held on.
He finished by highlighting Hearts’ strength from set pieces and acknowledged that pressure was always coming late on. For McGregor, the resilience shown in recent matches will be vital if Celtic are to navigate the remainder of the season successfully.