Callum McGregor declares Celtic are going for 55 with cryptic double meaning

It's a number that has special significance in the wacky world of Scottish football but it will have extra meaning for Callum McGregor this term.

The Celtic captain is going for 55 – in more ways than one. McGregor knows the Hoops are sitting on 54 top flight titles and are now just one behind Rangers, who caused a fuss about the figure when they claimed it a few years back. But the 31-year-old is also determined to clock up 55 games – at least – after gritting his teeth and playing through the pain barrier to get to the total last season. McGregor stamina and workload has become legendary around Parkhead.

H’s not played less than 50 games a season since 2017, whether it was wearing a mask after a fractured cheek or racing back from a hamstring tear last term to drag Celts to a glorious Double. And he’s back feeling fit and firing to do it all over again. He said: “Am I up for another 55 games? Aye, for sure. Definitely. I feel fit and just can’t wait to get going.”

McGregor is a serial Celtic winner with 22 major honours at the club and he revealed the secret as he gets ready to go again. He treats every single trophy like it’s his first.

And the next one could be significant in Scotland as well as it would nudge the Hoops clear as the most successful club in the land after moving level with Gers on the silverware count last term.

McGregor said: “You look at the scenes at the end of last season. That’s what this club does to you – you celebrate every trophy like it’s the first. Success is so ingrained in the staff, the coaches, the players and the supporters.

“When things go a but wayward, you think this might get taken away from us – it just sharpens everyone up. The last six weeks of the season were a prime