Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been a cornerstone of the Bhoys’ early-season form that was capped with their excellent victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Lennoxtown product has gone from strength to strength since retiring from Scotland duty after conversations with Steve Clarke, registering four goals and a solitary assist this term.

However, Callum McGregor’s performance for Celtic against Leipzig was by far his best of the campaign, after playing a crucial role in laying the foundations for moves in his deep-lying midfield role.

Stat-trackers Fotmob show the Bhoys captain maintained a 96% pass accuracy rate (77/80) while on the field, alongside threading six balls into the final third and creating a solitary chance.

Memorably, McGregor also kept his head in the lead-up to Reo Hatate’s decisive goal, retaining possession in a tight area before sending the Hoops on their way to wrap up three points.

Now, Stephen McGinn has further expanded on why the ex-Scotland international was almost unplayable against a high-calibre of opposition.

Stephen McGinn on Callum McGregor’s performance vs Leipzig

He stated: “Callum McGregor was special the other night, it was absolutely incredible how he ran that game against a top team. Even the third goal, he’s actually (got) three Leipzig players chasing him.

“I think (I would) just run straight like all of us diddy midfielders would of done, just keep running, wait until they make contact on you from behind, fall on top of the ball and get a foul.

“Callum McGregor has got the calmness, he ends up playing that extra pass, finding a pass, Celtic out and that puts the game to bed, so a real special night.

“As I said, I though it was going to take Celtic (to have) to put a big defensive midfielder in there to produce that, it didn’t, so yeah, a big night from him.”

Callum McGregor sets the standards for Celtic

Whether it be on the domestic scene or in the Champions League, McGregor is the go-to man on the big occasion for Celtic and never hesitates to offer himself as an option in the engine room.

Coupling that with his excellent leadership and never-say-die attitute, you have a captain who has 22 trophies under his belt at Parkhead, with no desire to stop there in his pursuit of further success.

While he is still running the show in midfield, Celtic fans appreciate what they have in McGregor and recognise his critical role in delivering performances such as the Bhoys’ brilliant victory over Leipzig.

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