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Callum McGregor clears up Celtic rumour as situation not all it seemed

Callum McGregor has cleared up a Celtic 'rumour'
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Callum McGregor has offered a glimpse inside his mediation role to decide who took Celtic's penalty against Hearts.

Reo Hatate has been the Hoops' spot kick taker but new signing Arne Engels is someone else who is confident from 12 yards, and it ended up being him who confidently stepped up to send Craig Gordon the wrong way and establish a lead over the Jambos. The captain had been seen speaking to Hatate before a decision was taken.

There was a belief that perhaps the two midfielders had a disagreement and had clashed over who should take the penalty but McGregor insists that wasn't the reality He says it was a more straightforward case of having an amicable discussion about who was confident for it.

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He said: "It was probably not what you guys thought it was, actually! I heard a wee rumour after that but it wasn’t that! Basically, those two were the penalty takers: 'Did one fancy it, did the other fancy it? Who fancied it? Alright, you take it.'

"It was pretty cut and dry, I don’t think there was anything too important for me to step in and deal with. Arne felt good and thankfully he scored as well, so that was all it was!"

As for Engels in particular, McGregor admits there is an element of surprise at just how well the record signing has settled in and began to contribute. The skipper knew there was a player there immediately, but actually going and enforcing yourself so well so quickly is another thing.

He said: "Surprised and not surprised, because I saw him on the first day and thought ‘He’s a player, he can play!’. However, it’s also surprising because you have to still go and deliver when the game kicks off. He’s a young player with good experience for his age. To come into a club this size and take two penalties in his first two games - he’s looked a real powerhouse and good on the ball. I’m not surprised in that aspect but for him to come in and hit the ground running the way he has done is excellent. It’s a real plus for the team as well."

Heading into next week's Champions League clash, the 31-year-old is comfortable about the side's capabilities. Manager Brendan Rodgers said it was the most prepared he has been for a UCL campaign, and his skipper echoes that.

"It is a strong squad and the profile of the team is where we want it to be," he explained. "We have got a good balance of speed, power and physicality and the right tactical stuff that you need as well. It is a balanced group with a lot of young players with good enough experience as well. We have managed to build ourselves a strong squad and I guess time will tell how well we go on and do. It certainly has all the hallmarks of a good team. It is just about the players delivering that on the pitch."