CALLUM McGREGOR BRUTALLY CALLS OUT FOOTBALL LEGEND OVER NATIONAL TV COMMENTS ABOUT CELTIC ROBBERY CLAIM AND PREDICTIONS BEFORE HEARTS GAME, CALLING HIM “A BIG FOOL”

Celtic FC captain Callum McGregor delivered an emotional and explosive interview on Sky Sports after Celtic’s dramatic 3:1 victory over Hearts FC at Celtic Park secured another Scottish Premiership title for the club.

The Celtic midfielder appeared overwhelmed with emotion following the final whistle as thousands of supporters celebrated around the stadium. McGregor praised his teammates for handling the pressure of the title race and credited manager Martin O’Neill for keeping the squad united during one of the most intense periods of the season. However, the interview quickly turned fiery as the captain responded to criticism and accusations directed at Celtic in recent days.

Much of the controversy surrounding the title race had come after comments made by football legend and television pundit Ally McCoist, who questioned officiating decisions involving Celtic in previous matches specifically against Motherwell.

McCoist had suggested on national television that certain SPFL officials appeared determined to help Celtic secure another title and argued that Hearts should have been in a stronger position to win the league.

Those comments dominated football discussions before today’s decisive clash against Hearts, with pressure building heavily around Celtic players ahead of kickoff. But after Celtic responded with a commanding 3:1 win, McGregor made it clear he had not forgotten the criticism aimed at the club.

“We have worked every single day for this,” McGregor said. “People can talk outside football and create stories, but inside this dressing room we know what we sacrificed to become champions.”

The midfielder looked visibly emotional as chants echoed around Celtic Park behind him. He insisted the title victory was earned through hard work, consistency and mentality rather than controversial officiating decisions.

“This group never stopped believing,” he said. “There were moments people doubted us and moments people tried to put pressure on the club, but the players stayed focused. That is why we are standing here as champions.”

McGregor then directly addressed accusations that Celtic had benefited unfairly from refereeing decisions during the season, strongly rejecting claims that officials had favoured the club.

“For somebody to go on national television and suggest officials are working for Celtic is ridiculous,” he said. “That is disrespectful to the players, the staff and everyone connected to this football club.”

The Celtic captain became increasingly animated as the interview continued, insisting that outside criticism ignored the effort and commitment shown by the players throughout the campaign.

“We win because we work hard,” McGregor said. “Not because somebody helps us. People see one decision and suddenly there are conspiracy theories everywhere. It is embarrassing.”

The midfielder also pushed back against suggestions that Hearts deserved the title more than Celtic, pointing to the team’s performance in today’s decisive match as proof of why Celtic finished on top.

“I heard all the talk saying Hearts deserved it more or that we got lucky to even be in this position,” he said. “What happened today answered all of that. We came into the biggest game of the season under massive pressure and won 3:1. That is not luck.”

The Sky Sports interviewer then asked whether criticism from pundits and former players had motivated the Celtic squad before the match, and McGregor admitted that the comments had become a major talking point inside the dressing room.

“Of course it motivates you,” he said. “When people question your integrity and professionalism, you take that personally. We are footballers but we are also human beings. We hear everything.”

McGregor also reserved special praise for Martin O’Neill, describing the Celtic manager as the key figure behind the club’s ability to stay calm during the tense final weeks of the title race.

“The manager has been unbelievable,” McGregor said. “His leadership, his calmness, the way he speaks to the players before games, it gives everyone belief. He deserves huge credit for this title.”

As celebrations intensified around Celtic Park, McGregor thanked supporters for standing behind the team throughout the season, especially during moments of criticism and pressure.

“The fans carried us through difficult moments,” he said. “When people doubted us, the supporters stayed behind us. The atmosphere today was unbelievable.”

Despite the celebrations, McGregor returned once again to the criticism directed at Celtic and made it clear that some comments made during the title race had crossed the line.

“You can debate football and analyse matches, that is normal,” he said. “But accusing clubs or officials of fixing things is different. Some of the comments made this week were disgraceful.”

The strongest moment of the interview came when McGregor was asked directly about pundits continuing to question Celtic’s success despite today’s result.

“If somebody genuinely believes trophies are handed to Celtic instead of earned, then honestly they are acting like a big fool,” McGregor said.

That quote immediately exploded across social media, with clips of the interview spreading rapidly online within minutes. Celtic supporters praised their captain for defending the club publicly, while rival fans accused him of escalating tensions after an already controversial title race.

Regardless of the fallout from the interview, Celtic’s 3:1 victory over Hearts secured another Scottish Premiership title and confirmed their dominance in one of the most dramatic campaigns in recent years.

For McGregor, however, today was about more than simply lifting the trophy. His emotional reaction made it clear that the squad had felt deeply affected by recent accusations and criticism. Rather than staying silent, the Celtic captain chose the biggest stage of the season to answer those claims directly.

As celebrations continued long into the night at Celtic Park, McGregor’s passionate words ensured that debate surrounding Celtic’s title triumph, refereeing controversy and criticism from football figures will continue well beyond the final whistle.