CALLUM MCGREGOR AND KELECHI HAVE JOINTLY APPEALED TO A SCOTLAND LEGEND TO STOP MAKING PREDICTIONS ABOUT CELTIC F.C. GAMES AFTER HIS PREDICTION FOR THE CELTIC VS HIBERNIAN F.C. MATCH, CALLING HIM AN “OLD FOOL”

After a dramatic 2–1 away victory for Celtic F.C. against Hibernian F.C., the post-match spotlight firmly shifted to an emotional and unusually direct press conference involving captain Callum McGregor and forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

The match itself was hard-fought, with Celtic showing resilience away from home to secure all three points in a tense encounter. But it was what followed after the final whistle that dominated headlines, as McGregor used the post-match interview to address growing criticism from media pundits and former professionals.

Speaking calmly at first, McGregor praised his teammates and the overall performance, highlighting the importance of discipline and unity in a match that tested Celtic physically and mentally.

“It’s a difficult place to come,” McGregor said. “Hibs pushed us all the way, but we stayed together. We showed character when it mattered, and that’s what the group is about.”

Iheanacho, who played a significant role in the attacking phases of the game, echoed the captain’s thoughts. He praised the team’s mentality and stressed that the squad had remained focused despite external pressure leading up to the match.

“We don’t listen too much to the outside noise,” Iheanacho said. “We focus on what we can control. Today was about proving ourselves on the pitch, and I think we did that.”

However, the tone of the interview shifted noticeably when McGregor was asked about pre-match predictions made by former Scotland internationals and current pundits Ally McCoist and Kris Boyd.

Both McCoist and Boyd had offered critical assessments ahead of the fixture. McCoist suggested the game could end in a draw and warned of possible frustration among supporters if Celtic failed to deliver.

Boyd, meanwhile, questioned Celtic’s consistency and suggested the team still had issues to resolve in high-pressure away matches.

McGregor addressed those comments directly in the interview, making it clear that while he respects both men for their careers and contributions to Scottish football, he felt some of the recent commentary had crossed into unnecessary negativity.

“We hear what’s said before games,” McGregor explained. “We respect opinions, especially from people who have played at the highest level. But sometimes it feels like the focus shifts away from football and becomes more personal than analytical.”

The Celtic captain was particularly firm when discussing the impact such comments can have on the squad. He insisted that while the team does not rely on outside opinions for motivation, repeated criticism can create an unfair narrative around performances.

“There’s nothing wrong with analysis,” he continued. “But when predictions are made in a way that almost dismisses what we do as a team, we take note of it. We don’t forget it.”

Iheanacho supported his captain’s stance, adding that the dressing room often uses criticism as motivation rather than distraction. He described the squad as tightly unified and focused on responding through performances rather than words.

“It doesn’t affect us negatively,” Iheanacho said. “If anything, it pushes us. We just want to win games and let the football speak.”

The most striking moment of the interview came when McGregor made a direct appeal to McCoist and Boyd, urging them to be more balanced in their public assessments. While he maintained respect for both former players, he also expressed frustration at what he perceives as repeated underestimation of Celtic’s performances.

“I don’t want to disrespect anyone,” McGregor said, his tone firm but controlled. “They’ve had incredible careers and they know the game. But I’d ask for fairness. We’re working hard every week, and sometimes the comments don’t reflect that.”

He went on to stress that the current Celtic squad is fully aware of external narratives but remains committed to responding only through results.

“We’ll always accept criticism when it’s fair,” he added. “But if it becomes personal or dismissive, we’ll respond on the pitch. That’s the only answer that matters.”

The interview concluded with McGregor returning focus to the team’s performance and upcoming fixtures, ensuring the message remained rooted in football rather than controversy. Iheanacho finished by reinforcing the squad’s unity, stating simply that the team’s priority is consistency and continued improvement.

Despite the heated nature of McGregor’s remarks, there was no sense of hostility in his delivery—rather a controlled frustration from a captain determined to defend his team’s reputation.

The exchange has since sparked widespread discussion among supporters and analysts, with opinions divided between those who believe McGregor was justified in speaking out and those who argue that pundit predictions are a natural part of football discourse.

Regardless, the 2–1 victory and the post-match comments have ensured that Celtic’s performance and their captain’s response—will remain a major talking point in Scottish football headlines for days to come.