League titles, cups and trebles are synonymous with Celtic and, moreover, captain Callum McGregor. The skipper has led the club to countless historical landmarks, but one particular achievement has eluded him throughout his career: European prosperity.
That was until Wednesday evening when an ever-energetic McGregor, backed by a raucous Parkhead crowd, led Celtic into the promised land of the Champions League knockouts for the first time in over a decade.
He said pre-match that he didn't want the Scottish Premiership champions to be the continent's 'nearly team' again, although they almost were until Adam Idah forced a late Lois Benito own-goal to send Celtic Park into overdrive and give Brendan Rodgers' men a deserved 1-0 victory.
"We knew we wanted to come and win the game and that would relieve a little bit of pressure off us," said McGregor.
“We managed to do that. It was a fantastic performance all round. The first half was outstanding again, really.
“We probably should have been a couple ahead, but in the second half, the game changes a little bit, and you've got to stay in the game and wait on the momentum changing. That's what this team has been really good at, especially in European football, being really mature against the ball.
"You can't be 100mph all the time. I'm really delighted with the team and the way that they showed to get back into the game and go and finish strong and get the winner."
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It was a frantic opening 45 minutes in Glasgow's east end, with Kyogo Furuhashi netting a hat-trick of disallowed goals. The tension then came to a crashing crescendo when Arne Engels' tame spot-kick was comfortably saved by Marvin Keller five from the break.
Late on, though, a masterful Reo Hatate pass, combined with a rather fortunate ricochet, saw Celtic take all three points. "It's such small margins, especially in European football," said McGregor.
"It's talking millimetres, being onside, offside. The penalty can maybe deflate the team or the stadium. The response to that was actually really good.
“Like I said, the team are playing with really good maturity again at this level."
Safely into the knockout stages, Celtic face a Battle of Britain against Aston Villa in Birmingham next Wednesday. Although it might be seen as somewhat of a 'free hit' in the eyes of supporters, McGregor expectedly wants his team to grab the bull by the horns.
"It's been fantastic so far – let's go and finish strong and see what we can do," he said.
“We're looking up the table. There's an outside chance of maybe qualifying in the top eight. That's got to be a big incentive for us as well, if we can miss those two games out. The team feel good about it, and we're looking forward to the game."
Celtic have now trebled the number of points they racked up in the Champions League last season, albeit having played an extra game.
Signs of progress have been clear as this European adventure has gone on in the eyes of a bullish McGregor.
“We've been really good in games," he said.
"We've actually been probably the dominant team in most of the games, especially here. There's been a real progression since that first game. We've got nothing to fear. We're a team with a good side at this level. The profile of the team is brilliant. We've got goals we can defend. Let's go next week in full confidence and see what we can do."
Only three Celtic captains had led the side beyond the initial stage of European football's premier club competition before Wednesday. McGregor is now part of an exclusive club but refuses to shine the light on himself. "Listen, first and foremost, the players should be so proud of themselves because it's very, very tough to do," he said.
“The gap is getting bigger and bigger and bigger every year financially. We've got to be at our maximum level. We've pretty much been there. We've got what we deserve. If we didn't qualify now after the performances, that would have been a real sickener for us. We're glad that we've got what we deserve."
Copious positive emotions filled the Parkhead air as referee Rohit Saggi called time on Wednesday's encounter, yet when Celtic fans filtered out of Glasgow's east end and back to their respective homes, their moods would have taken a noticeable dent with news that star striker Furuhashi was set to sign for French outfit Rennes.
The Japanese frontman had played his last game in green and white and travelled to Brittany on Thursday to complete a £10m switch.
Having given Celtic countless goals, memories, and, most importantly, trophies throughout his three-and-a-half-year spell at the club, Furuhashi leaves as a contemporary phenomenon about whom numerous tales will be told to future generations.
"He's a modern-day legend, definitely," said McGregor.
“He has been so important for the team. Whatever the case is, I know the club will have done everything they can to keep him. He's been outstanding, coming from the other side of the world and the impact he's made has been fantastic."
Despite the somewhat unexpected mid-season departure of a key player like Furuhashi, McGregor thinks it's time for fresh legends to be made.
"Celtic creates new heroes all the time," he said.
"That's something you've seen so many times here. When one guy leaves, you think, how are we going to replace him? And then two weeks later, he's completely forgotten about and someone else comes in."
Rodgers and his recruitment team will have to get their thinking caps on as they seek to replace arguably the best Celtic striker since Henrik Larsson.
