As Celtic prepare for Sunday’s league clash with St Johnstone, Callum McGregor insists the squad are refreshed, focused and embracing the business end of the season with renewed purpose. The Hoops skipper, who opted to retire from international duty at the start of this campaign, has enjoyed the opportunity to recharge during the break, and he’s already seeing the benefits. Speaking at Lennoxtown, Callum McGregor told Celtic TV: “We’ve been back for a few days now. Everyone is good and we are ready to go. “Every game now is an opportunity for us to show the type of team we want to be and in the matchdays we have the chance to bring it all together. “We have one matchday per week now so everything goes into that. If we can bring the energy and quality together then this is where it really counts.”The Celtic captain’s decision to step back from international duty earlier has allowed for more recovery time, and it’s something he’s made the most of, both physically and in terms of performance. “You have those little breaks within the season,” he said. “You go away and come back and are full of energy. “I’ve been feeling good. Obviously performance level has been good, and goal return and assists have been good. ‘The team in general has functioned a lot better from about 12months ago and I think everything is in a much better place.’ “That’s our job all the time to keep pushing and getting the most out of each individual and then the team collectively as well.” That collective effort will be crucial again this weekend, and McGregor echoed the manager’s comments about underestimating no opponent – especially a St. Johnstone side fighting for Premiership survival. “When you get to this point as well you know what’s at stake.” McGregor said. “Every win just ticks it off and it gets closer and close, and the players are fully focused and aware of what they need to do.” The captain was full of praise for his team-mates following the emphatic 3-0 win over Hearts last weekend. One of the stand-out performers that day was Daizen Maeda, whose two goals topok him to 30 for the season. And his captain, who provided the assist for the first goal, was full of praise for his team-mate, who picked up the Premiership Player of the Month award for the second month in a row. “He’s been unbelievable and that’s what confidence gives you as well,” said McGregor. “Every time he goes through on goal, I think the whole stadium expects him to score,” he said. “That’s credit to him in terms of his ability and his calmness in front of goal, and to team as well that we’re getting him into those positions where he is finding himself regularly in the box and getting his finishing. “Through the middle is a little bit of a different role but he’s been fantastic and has filled the void that Kyogo left, who was also a top striker as well.”FixturesSt. Johnstone Vs. Celtic – Sun, Apr 6th 2025, 12:00
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