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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Joe Donnelly

Callum McGregor names game that helped Celtic become champions

Callum McGregor was over the moon following Celtic's confident 5-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to secure the club's third consecutive league title.

The Celtic captain said an enduring resilience among the squad is what helped get the Scottish Premiership over the line throughout this campaign, and highlighted his side's 3-3 draw at Ibrox last month as pivotal in that process.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the 30-year-old said: "It was brilliant. The resilience that the group has shown is brilliant, and I think we're in a really good place now. I think you can see that in some of the football.

"Especially in the first half [against Kilmarnock], we were really slick and we had a great idea of what we were trying to do. [Adam Idah] comes in as well, having not played as much, and gets a goal and looks a real threat at the top of the pitch. We're in a good place, and we just need to stay there."



The Celtic captain said that success this year was gleaned by virtue of a combination of small wins and building upon those one-by-one.

Despite winning all three of the other derbies this campaign, McGregor said the 3-3 away draw against Rangers was up there with the most important games of the season.

He added: "I think the game at Ibrox, to play so well, to go up, go 2-2, go 3-2 again and then we obviously lose the one at the end – but I felt like that was a big day for us. In terms of believing that you go there and play and be in a hostile environment and stick to your football.

"And then when the going gets tough you show the resilience to see it out as well. That's a big day and since then we've really motored and kicked on, and we just need to stay there. We'll enjoy it tonight, obviously the supporters will enjoy it as well, but we understand that there's still a big 10 days ahead as well."

McGregor admitted that form is only as relevant as your last performance, and it's an abiding focus that ensures standards remain high. "Form is one of those things that if you slightly come off it it can catch you very quickly," he said. "Again, we'll enjoy tonight, but when we come back in then our full focus is the game at the weekend and then we do have a big week.

"We've just got to stay on the players in terms of the work rate and commitment in the game, and hopefully we can finish the season on a high."



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