Callum McGregor says lack of support means Celtic's Old Firm win tastes sweeter
Captain Callum McGregor says Celtic's 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox was made all the more enjoyable with home fans only.
Amid an ongoing ticket row between the two clubs, the Parkhead club rejected an offer of around 700 tickets, citing security concerns.
Hoops fans watching at home, pubs and clubs saw Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi shoot the winner just before the break to put Parkhead's side four points clear of their Old Firm rivals after just four league games before the international break. .
Scotland international midfielder McGregor said: "It's probably like a different game now, without away fans.
“But, again, it can galvanize you. It's a really tough time to come here.
"It's almost like a siege mentality where everyone in the stadium is against you.
"That's when you need your big players and your big personality to step up and I thought that was what we did.
“That probably makes it even sweeter. The reason we play football is obviously to play in front of fans but if you can't do that the next best thing is to make them proud everywhere they look and I hope we did that today today.
"I always think when the going gets tough and the stakes are low, there's nothing better (than) to go out and perform like this and make a statement.
“We are satisfied with our working day. But we know there is still a long way to go.
“I have taken the course many, many times. I won those and I lost them.
“You earn it, enjoy today, then draw a line under it. Then, when you return from the international break, you'll be ready to go again.
"There is no better place to come and win and to achieve that under the current circumstances, we have to use it as a springboard now.
"There's no point in winning today and going back and starting losing points again. This makes it unnecessary.
“We understand. Everyone feels good in there (in the locker room), but we have no illusions that we have to kick off.
“You now have four weeks between each international break. You have to go hard, take your break and then go hard and finish the first half of the season very well.
“We know what the stakes are now and we have to get to work. »
Captain Callum McGregor says Celtic's 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox was made all the more enjoyable with home fans only.
Amid an ongoing ticket row between the two clubs, the Parkhead club rejected an offer of around 700 tickets, citing security concerns.
Hoops fans watching at home, pubs and clubs saw Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi shoot the winner just before the break to put Parkhead's side four points clear of their Old Firm rivals after just four league games before the international break. .
Scotland international midfielder McGregor said: "It's probably like a different game now, without away fans.
“But, again, it can galvanize you. It's a really tough time to come here.
"It's almost like a siege mentality where everyone in the stadium is against you.
"That's when you need your big players and your big personality to step up and I thought that was what we did.
“That probably makes it even sweeter. The reason we play football is obviously to play in front of fans but if you can't do that the next best thing is to make them proud everywhere they look and I hope we did that today today.
"I always think when the going gets tough and the stakes are low, there's nothing better (than) to go out and perform like this and make a statement.
“We are satisfied with our working day. But we know there is still a long way to go.
“I have taken the course many, many times. I won those and I lost them.
“You earn it, enjoy today, then draw a line under it. Then, when you return from the international break, you'll be ready to go again.
"There is no better place to come and win and to achieve that under the current circumstances, we have to use it as a springboard now.
"There's no point in winning today and going back and starting losing points again. This makes it unnecessary.
“We understand. Everyone feels good in there (in the locker room), but we have no illusions that we have to kick off.
“You now have four weeks between each international break. You have to go hard, take your break and then go hard and finish the first half of the season very well.
“We know what the stakes are now and we have to get to work. »
What's Your Reaction?
