Opinion: Big tests await Callum McGregor’s Celtic captaincy

The run of fixtures that Celtic are in the middle of are arguably the biggest of Callum McGregor’s brief reign as Hoops skipper. However, even though the Bhoys have played some important games this season, arguably the most important of McGregor’s time as captain are still to come.

In the next few weeks, McGregor has the chance to lead Celtic to a cup victory and a win in a Glasgow derby. The Hoops face Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup Final on the 19th of December, and a few weeks later face Rangers in a huge Premiership clash on the 2nd of January.

Two victories in those games would be a real feather in the cap for McGregor’s captaincy. Of course, he will be taking it one game at a time, as everyone at Celtic will be. But McGregor might well be thinking about winning a trophy in his first months as captain, and then leading the Hoops to a first win over Rangers since 2019.

Some might not think that the captaincy is an important role in football compared to in the past, but that isn’t the case at Celtic, where former captain Scott Brown was arguably the Hoops’ most important player over the last 10 years.

Brown set the tempo for the team, his attitude was that of a winner, and he demanded and got his standards from his teammates. That is what McGregor must look to do in his time as Celtic captain.

A difference though is that McGregor took over as captain whilst the Hoops were at a low ebb, so he deserves extra credit for navigating Celtic through a difficult start to the season.

McGregor was really the only choice to be Celtic captain, as he is one of the most experienced players at the club. He has seen and done a lot in a Celtic jersey, and hopefully the challenges that he faces in the weeks ahead won’t phase the player.

McGregor has upped his game in recent weeks. For example he set up the first goal and scored the winner in the 2-1 victory over Aberdeen, and that improvement has come at just the right time for the Hoops.

For Celtic to have a successful season 2021/22 campaign, McGregor will have to lead the way. Victories over Hibernian and Rangers in the next few weeks will have a big impact not only on the Hoops’ season, but on McGregor’s captaincy too. Hopefully McGregor relishes the challenge that is posed, and drives the Bhoys on to victory.