It’s Rare to Hear a Premiership Footballer Speak With This Much Honesty, McGregor’s Candid Post-Match Interview Sends a Message Through Celtic

Celtic captain Callum McGregor delivered one of the most strikingly honest post-match interviews of the Scottish Premiership season following his side’s tense and emotionally charged match against St Mirren. In a league where media-trained responses and measured soundbites dominate the post-game landscape, McGregor’s candid assessment stood out sharply  direct, unfiltered, and brutally self-aware.

For much of the evening, this clash resembled a tactical stalemate: Celtic dominating possession without much penetration, and St Mirren defending superbly while carrying a dangerous counter-attacking threat. What had been expected by many to be a straightforward assignment for the league contenders instead became an arduous test of patience, resilience and, ultimately, late-game composure.

Celtic Control but Struggle to Create

The visitors spent long stretches camped in St Mirren’s half, circulating the ball with their usual methodical precision but rarely breaking through the hosts’ compact defensive structure. Although Celtic controlled territory, their tempo felt sluggish, and they lacked the incisive movement required to disorganized a St Mirren side that appeared extremely well-prepared for what was coming.

Martin O’Neill, operating once again as Celtic’s interim figurehead, attempted to inject urgency from the touchline. He barked instructions, urged quicker transitions and at times appeared visibly irritated as promising attacks fizzled out. Celtic’s wide players found themselves repeatedly shepherded toward harmless areas, while central combinations were stifled by St Mirren’s disciplined midfield trio.

The match itself had already been heated, played at a frenetic pace and shaped by periods of frustration for the champions. Celtic were forced to chase large spells of the game, and although they eventually edged through in the second half, the performance left supporters divided. St Mirren, meanwhile, felt aggrieved by several refereeing decisions, with their manager openly admitting he was “not completely comfortable” with the officiating throughout the afternoon.

Against that backdrop of tension, McGregor spoke with a clarity and honesty that struck at the heart of Celtic’s current challenges. There were no excuses about fixture congestion, no attempts to deflect blame, and no rehearsed lines about “taking the positives.” Instead, he delivered a message aimed as much at his teammates as at the watching public.

“We can’t keep starting games like this,” he said firmly. “It’s not good enough  not for this club, not for these supporters. We dug ourselves out of it today, but that’s not a game plan. That’s not who we want to be.”

It was a moment that resonated instantly with fans. Celtic did indeed begin the match sluggishly, allowing St Mirren too much encouragement early on. The home crowd sensed vulnerability, and the hosts pressed aggressively, forcing McGregor and his midfield partners into rushed passes and uncomfortable positions. Celtic were reactive rather than proactive, and for a spell, they were second-best.

But as has so often been the case, the second half told a different story. Once Celtic settled into their rhythm, their quality began to show. They controlled the ball better, created cleaner chances, and eventually found the breakthrough that turned the afternoon in their favour. Even so, McGregor refused to allow the result to mask the performance.

“Second half we showed character, we showed a bit of bravery on the ball,” he continued. “But that has to be there from minute one. If we want to be champions again, it can’t be a 45-minute performance.”

His comments were a reminder of the high expectations within the Celtic dressing room. Winning is not enough winning convincingly, consistently, and with authority is the demand that comes with wearing the captain’s armband at Parkhead. McGregor’s interview underscored that internal pressure, emphasizing that Celtic’s standards must not slip, even in matches they ultimately win.

He also praised St Mirren’s effort, acknowledging that the game in Paisley was far more difficult than many neutrals may assume from the score line alone. The home side’s intensity, structure, and commitment forced Celtic to earn every moment.

They made us uncomfortable today,” McGregor admitted. “They pressed, they worked, they believed they could take something and we have to respect that. But when teams come at us like that, we have to rise above it from the start.”

Interestingly, while St Mirren’s manager openly expressed frustration with the referee  hinting at “decisions that didn’t add up” McGregor opted to sidestep the officiating debate entirely. Instead, he subtly reinforced the idea that Celtic must remain accountable for their own performances.

“We can’t rely on anything else going our way,” he said. “We need to control our own game, dominate our own moments. That’s on us.”

It was a perfectly measured response from a leader who understands the responsibility that comes with the armband. Honest, sharp, and delivered without hesitation, McGregor’s post-match words were less a criticism and more a rallying cry  a reminder that Celtic’s road back to complete dominance requires more than flashes of brilliance.

It requires consistency, intensity, and 90 minutes of focus.

On a day filled with controversy, emotion, and talking points, it was the captain’s honesty that cut through everything else. And as Celtic look ahead to the critical fixtures piling up in the weeks ahead, McGregor’s message will undoubtedly echo through the club’s training sessions:

The standards must rise  and they must rise now