Callum McGregor has shrugged off proclamations from Ibrox that Rangers have a masterplan in place to oust Celtic as Scotland’s ‘dominant’ force within two years.
A first address from their rivals’ new chief-executive James Bisgrove earlier this week outlined a vision to wrestle back superiority in Glasgow by 2025. McGregor led Celtic to a second consecutive Premiership title earlier this month – their 11th in 12 years – and the Parkhead side are on course to complete a clean sweep of domestic trophies as June’s Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle moves into view.
Celtic have gone from strength to strength under Ange Postecoglou’s management, and will build further financial muscle in qualifying for next season’s Champions League. There is a summer of transition on the cards over at Ibrox, but McGregor insists Celtic’s desire for continued improvement has never been fuelled by external factors.
“To be honest, I don't think we look at any outside noise at all,” McGregor said. “I'm pretty sure if you asked the manager at any point in the season, is he looking to strengthen the club, or if you asked the players, are they looking to strengthen their own game and collectively together, then the answer to that is absolutely always.
“I don't think in sport you can ever stand still. You've always got to continue to push forward and try to get better in many different ways. So as long as we've got a mindset within the club that we continue to push forward, then that's what's more important for us as players and staff, that the club has got a vision moving forward and they are aggressive in the way they want to progress the club all the time.
“As long as we keep doing that and focus on ourselves, I've got no doubt that we'll continue to get better as well.”
