Last night was the Celtic captain’s greatest game. He deserves every plaudit he gets.

Let’s talk about Callum McGregor again, as last night’s game deserves more than a passing mention of his brilliance.

This isn’t the first time McGregor has delivered a performance of exceptional quality, but as one of the club’s longest-serving players, his contribution on a night like that is worth celebrating. Especially considering how, at times, certain quarters of the media have been critical.

I’m not here to rip into the media wholesale—many journalists recognise that McGregor is a top-tier player at an elite level, and they understand the privilege of watching him ply his trade in Scottish football. But let’s be honest: some voices have been a bit too quick to question his ambition, suggesting he could only fulfil his potential by leaving Celtic.

Those critics miss the point entirely. McGregor has achieved greatness right here, at this club. He has loyalty and commitment to Celtic in a way that’s increasingly rare in football, where players often chase bigger contracts elsewhere.

He’s someone who could have left years ago, but McGregor’s career highlights show he’s found all the fulfilment he needs with Celtic. He’s won league titles, played in cup finals, and represented the club on the Champions League stage.

Yes, he could have gone south in search of a Premier League title or even a European trophy, but that would mean leaving behind the club that’s in his heart. We all know that had he shown this level of loyalty to the club across the city, certain members of the press would be singing his praises non-stop, framing him as a model of dedication rather than questioning his ambition.

And then there’s last night’s performance.

His stats tell a tale of their own—80 passes, with only a handful off the mark—but the numbers don’t capture the full story.

Beyond the passes, McGregor was everywhere on the pitch.

He tracked back, covered ground, and organised his teammates, urging them to dig deeper and fight harder. It wasn’t just a display of flawless passing; it was the kind of complete midfield performance that leaves you in awe, reminding you that you’re watching one of the best in the game.

McGregor operates in a part of the pitch that’s often overlooked, a position where mistakes are amplified, and good work is quickly forgotten as the forwards steal the headlines.

For years, I thought he was Celtic’s finest attacking midfielder, and whenever he ventures forward, he’s a legitimate goal threat. But he’s adapted to his deeper role with complete humility, sacrificing personal glory for the team’s benefit.

This selflessness is what makes him such an outstanding captain—he leads by example, and his example is second to none.

When he was shifted from that attacking role to the anchor position, he could have made a fuss. He could have demanded a move if his original role wasn’t reinstated. But McGregor didn’t care about staying in the spotlight; he cared about making history with this team.

His team-first attitude and relentless focus on Celtic’s success underscore his rare character in a game full of egos.

This is part of why McGregor’s contributions are sometimes underappreciated at both national and media levels.

His value shines brightest in high-stakes games, where the opposition can’t afford to sit back. In such moments, you truly see the engine that McGregor provides, his quiet dominance that can shift an entire game. Every manager across the city has known this; if you want to beat Celtic, you have to stop Callum McGregor. And yet, despite their best efforts, none of them has consistently succeeded in keeping him out of the game.

Last night might just have been McGregor’s finest 90 minutes in a Celtic shirt.

It’s hard to recall a more complete midfield display in the anchoring role, though one match does come to mind: Scott Brown’s iconic showing at Ibrox, in the 2-2 game, where he scored a wonder goal and lifted a ten-man Celtic side almost single-handedly.

McGregor’s display had the same guts, discipline, elegance, and sheer inspiration as that classic performance.

And while Nicolas Kühn rightly earned plaudits for his part in the game, it’s fantastic to see Callum’s role being recognised as well.

He wasn’t just playing a good game; he was leading the team, exemplifying what it means to be a captain. McGregor deserves every bit of praise he’s received.

We are incredibly fortunate to have watched him develop over the years, and here’s hoping we’re privileged enough to watch him lead this team for many more.