Celtic's Callum McGregor thanks Tommy Burns for teaching him 'life lessons' in his new book being released in aid of Glasgow's sick kids.
Callum McGregor: The Making of a Celtic Captain hits shelves in October and a proportion of the money raised from sales will go to Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity (GCHC).
It looks back at the 29-year-old's career so far and how he went from humble beginnings, playing footie with his brother in Glasgow's east end, to leading the first team and playing for his country.
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Having started out at the club's academy for young, prospective footie stars, the midfielder trained under the watchful eye of Hoops legend, Tommy Burns. The iconic former player and coach died aged 51 from skin cancer in May 2008, leaving fans across the city bereft.
Now team captain, McGregor feels 'it is only right' that the lessons he learned from Burns are passed on to 'young players and new guys' at Celtic and feels a pressure to show the same kind of 'investment' Tommy did.
He told Celtic TV: "I feel like for me to have someone like Tommy as the head of the youth academy at the time when I was coming through, he had a huge passion and enthusiasm for the young players and the academy. He had a vision, the building that we're sitting in was his kind of vision of the club.
"So to have someone that invested in the young players' futures was hugely important to myself and it gave me a lot of lessons throughout my young life and young football development as well. I think it's only right that I try and pass on any of the knowledge that these guys have given me over the years and try and pass that to younger players coming through or new guys who join the club on what this club's all about and how special it is."
The Hoops star also offered some advice for those who, just like him, dream of playing the beautiful game on a professional level.
"You need to be prepared to work harder than anyone else," he added.
"You can have talent but, ultimately, you have to be able to work as hard as you possibly can every day and have that mindset that you're going to work harder than everyone else because every player in the academy is a talented footballer, there's no doubt about that. It's about how you mould yourself and guide yourself up the ladder and try to get yourself to the first team.
"And hard work's a huge, huge part of that."
And reflecting on his achievements by writing the book has been a 'nice thing' for McGregor as he 'recognises the career' he's had up until now.
He said: "It's obviously a nice thing just recognising the career that I've had up to now, the club want to do a little chapter on it. It's been nice for me, I've enjoyed doing it.
"It kind of forces you to look back a little bit and remember the things that you've done in terms of your journey and everything so it's been a nice little kind of look back into the past."
This included his 'stand-out' memory so far of an era that's left him feeling 'really fortunate'.
"I think probably lifting the trophy as captain for the first time," he said.
"I've been a really fortunate boy to have had so many highs so far in my career but I think that memory probably just pips it."
In the wake of news breaking of the book's release, a blurb was released online.
It read: "How does a wee guy from the East End of Glasgow who used to run about in the street kicking a ball end up as the captain of a title-winning Celtic team? For as long as he can remember, all Callum McGregor wanted to be was a footballer, and seeing Celtic Park from the hill near his house when he was out playing with his brother, he knew that was where, one day, he wanted to be.
"This is his Celtic story. This is the making of a Celtic captain."
GCHC chiefs said they are 'incredibly thankful' for the contribution pledge and stress that money raised will 'help change lives of children in hospital in Glasgow'.
A spokesperson said: "We're incredibly thankful to Callum McGregor for pledging a contribution from the sales of his new book to Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity. These funds will help us change the lives of children in hospital in Glasgow.
"Thanks also to Celtic FC and Celtic FC Foundation for their continued support, which has been unwavering over the past 20 years."
Callum McGregor: The Making of a Celtic Captain costs £20 which can be bought outright or paid in £5 instalments online. The book can be personalised and is available for pre-order from now until August 28.
It goes on sale on October 14. For more information or to pre-order click here.
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