He’s Got Mbappé’s Confidence and Yamal’s Touch Remember the Name!” McGregor’s Jaw-Dropping Praise for Celtic’s Young Sensation Sends Fans Wild.
He’s Got Mbappé’s Confidence and Yamal’s Touch Remember the Name!” McGregor’s Jaw-Dropping Praise for Celtic’s Young Sensation Sends Fans Wild.
A Celtic win over Rangers is always a moment to savour, but Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final felt like something more the arrival of a new star. The Hoops’ 3–1 victory at Hampden Park was driven by a fearless young talent whose performance left even club captain Callum McGregor lost for words.
Speaking after the match, McGregor delivered one of the most talked-about quotes of the weekend, comparing the youngster’s qualities to none other than Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal two of the brightest stars in world football.
“He’s got Mbappé’s confidence and Yamal’s touch remember the name,” McGregor said, with a smile that told the story. “You don’t see that kind of fearlessness very often, especially in a player so young. He’s got that spark that makes you stop and watch.”
The Celtic skipper’s remarks have since gone viral, lighting up social media as fans flooded the comments with excitement and disbelief. “If McGregor’s saying that, then we’ve got something special here,” wrote one supporter on X (formerly Twitter), while another added: “That’s the kind of praise you can’t fake this kid’s the real deal.”
A Star Is Born at Hampden
In one of the fiercest fixtures in world football, the youngster produced a display full of maturity, pace, and purpose. His opening goal a thunderous header that left the Rangers keeper stranded set the tone for a statement performance that oozed confidence.
McGregor, who’s shared the pitch with countless top players throughout his Celtic career, said the youngster’s mentality stood out most.
It’s not just what he does on the ball it’s how he carries himself,” the captain explained. “He wants to be the one making things happen. That’s Mbappé’s confidence. And when you see how he controls the ball in tight spaces, that’s pure Yamal effortless.”
The praise was as bold as it was heartfelt. McGregor rarely singles out individuals, but this time, he couldn’t hold back. “He’s going right to the top,” he added. “If he keeps working the way he is, he’s going to be a superstar
From Patience to Breakthrough
The youngster’s path to this moment has been one of perseverance. After joining Celtic as a teenager, he had to wait for his chance going out on loan, learning the club’s standards, and returning ready to seize his opportunity.
Under Martin O’Neill, that patience has paid off. The veteran manager has trusted youth and given the young attacker the stage to shine. And shine he did not just against any opponent, but against Celtic’s fiercest rivals on one of the biggest nights of the season.
Fans who witnessed his rise in the academy have long spoken of his potential, but now the whole of Scottish football and perhaps even Europe is taking notice.
A Future Star in the Making
With Ireland set to announce their squad for the upcoming internationals against Portugal and Hungary, it’s hard to imagine the youngster being left out. His Hampden heroics have added weight to the growing belief that he could be the spark Ireland has been missing.
For McGregor, though, the message was simple: keep grounded and keep growing.
“We’ll protect him and guide him, but make no mistake he’s special,” the Celtic captain said. “He’s fearless, he’s got quality, and he’s got that star aura. You don’t see that often. So yeah… remember the name.”
From Sligo streets to Hampden headlines, this young Celtic star just announced himself on the biggest stage. And if McGregor’s words are anything to go by, this is just the beginning of a story we’ll all be remembering for years to come.
