The Celtic captain spoke to the media ahead of a crucial Champions League clash against BSC Young Boys, aware that a victory could propel the Hoops into the knockout stages of the elite tournament European.
McGregor expressed confidence saying recent performances have seen Celtic gain new respect among their continental rivals. “After the match against Leipzig, the teams respect us more,” he said. “We have talented players who can exploit space, and our speed in transition has become a significant threat. Teams are adapting by setting up blocks in midfield to try to force us to one side and trap us in our mistakes. It is up to us to address these challenges effectively.”
Looking ahead to the match against the Swiss side, who currently sit last in their Champions League group with no hope of qualification, McGregor is confident this tactical change will endure. He added: “In our last two matches we faced teams who played deeper and zonally. The match against Leipzig was a completely different style; they applied high pressure and were a constant threat. Our performance that night was exceptional, and as a result, opponents seem to think twice before adopting an aggressive strategy against us.”
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“Against Young Boys we can expect a mix of their approaches. They tend to apply pressure during goal clearances and corner kicks, but become more zonal as the match progresses “We made tactical adjustments during training, and it is crucial that we implement these solutions on match day.”
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The atmosphere at Celtic Park is always a vital element during important matches, especially with so much at stake on the outcome. McGregor highlighted the need for the team to galvanize fan support: “It’s up to us to deliver a performance that engages the crowd. We need to come together as a unit and aim for a successful evening. Qualify for the knockout stages have too often eluded us in the past; it is essential for this club and for all those involved to experience this progression. We refuse to be content with being the almost men our squad has; quality necessary to succeed.
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