Callum McGregor and the Celtic Billy McNeill reminder that keeps him hungry for success every day

Calum McGregor is far too humble to even contemplate reaching the legendary status of Billy McNeill as Celtic skipper.

But it won’t stop him trying to match his trophy haul. Certainly on a domestic level.

Eight months on from taking on the weight of the Hoops armband the midfielder already has accomplished the first piece of a potential Treble.

But 20 years on from the day he first walked through the doors at Celtic Park as an excited member of the youth set up McGregor admits he still gets a tingle just walking among the statues of giants.

Nobody more so than the man dubbed Cesar.

McNeill’s nine titles, seven Scottish Cups, six League Cups and of course that historic European champions gong from 1967 will always see him stand out in front in the long list of icons in the east end of Glasgow.

McGregor ’s tally as a player isn’t to be sniffed at either. Six titles, four Scottish Cup s and five League Cups for a 28-year-old is no mean feat.

And while only the last of those, December’s Premier Sports Cup triumph, was won as skipper, he now finds himself entering the nitty gritty of a title tussle with Rangers that could see him take a giant leap into the pantheon of greats.

Not that McGregor would ever consider himself on Lions terms.

He said: “We don’t think that way at all, because what Big Billy and his team-mates achieved makes sure they stand alone.

“What they did for the club was huge, domestically and in Europe.

“No one’s come close to them, so all we can do is try to be a successful team in our own right. We’re focussed on the here and now of winning as many trophies as we can.

“Over the years, if Celtic teams have done well in Europe they tend to leave a pretty good legacy.

“Billy is probably the most iconic