Callum McGregor opens up on Celtic European dream as skipper reveals Ange Postecoglou’s ambition

CALLUM McGREGOR dreams of leading Celtic back to a grand European final.

Sunday marks the 20th anniversary of Martin O’Neill’s Hoops defeat by Jose Mourinhos Porto in Seville in the Uefa Cup final.

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When asked if he was keen to emulate that memorable run during his time as Celtic captain, McGregor said: “Yes, I think so. In every season you can see how European football is so hard fought.

“There are so many big clubs that spend a lot Money try and win these tournaments.

“For Celticit’s certainly in hers Story that they can compete at this level – and that is the level we want to achieve.

“At the beginning of the season the goal is always to get out of the group, then try to get a run and see what happens.

“Every Summer We always have this ambition and that is also the ambition of the club.”

The Celts were eliminated in the Champions League group stage last season but McGregor believes coach Ange Postecoglou will lead the club to the final like O’Neill did in 2003.

He added: “I think we all hope so. We see how everyone in the building works and how they work.

“He’s very on the ball when it comes to recruiting.

“He’s always trying to push the club forward and he’s a really strong figurehead and that’s exactly what this club needs.”

“We’re just trying to get better at every game we play every time we’re together Training Meeting.

“He never puts limits on what we can achieve. So the more he pushes us, the hopefully we can try to reach that level.”

“He’s also an ambitious guy so hopefully we can try with all that ambition.

“The only way to gain experience is to go through it and learn from the experience as it happens.

“It was the first time we did it as a group, so hopefully we learned something.

“Some of ours football was outstanding and we created many chances.

“Maybe it’s just a matter of being more mature as a group a year later and hopefully putting the finishing touches on the football we’ve played this season.

“As always, we come back with a fresh attitude and a desire to do something good.”

McGregor was just nine years old in May 2003.

He added: “I was quite young at the time, but there was a lot of excitement around the place.

“When you are at the very beginning of your journey and you see the first team in a European Cup final, it gives you an idea of ​​the size of the club and where it was at the time.

“Some great players, also a great manager and just a real feel-good factor. This has affected all youth teams.

“When you see the first team at this level, you think you have to reach this level.

“You have to push as much as you can and make progress so hopefully one day when you step through that door as a first-team player you can reach the same level as these guys.”

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