Callum McGregor insists it’s time for Celtic to do their Champions League talking on the pitch.
The skipper told fans he was sorry for the stuffing by Borussia Dortmund three weeks ago. But he says it’s now about action as the Hoops look to prove they are no Champions League whipping Bhoys. McGregor said: “Everyone talks and talks and talks and everybody loves it. But ultimately the game is played on the grass and we can only get away with so much talking.
“You have to back it up at some point. We started the competition really well and then took a sore one in Germany. But probably the reaction to that game was based on how good we’d been doing. Everybody went there with full expectation that we were going to do well in the game and could maybe get something from it. But it shows there’s still a big gap in terms of where we are trying to get to.
“We can’t forget about how well we’d done and that we are a good side. But we need to go and show that belief and quality and do our talking on the pitch.
“That’s my hope for the rest of the campaign, that when we take to the pitch – and we come off again – everybody can say, ‘That’s a good Celtic team’ and we’ve picked up points. We want to show we’re better than that – 100 per cent. Everyone knows we’re better but we have to prove it on the grass.
“We understand the competition and the level of quality but we need to show more than we did a few weeks ago. The only way we can prove we are a good side is on the pitch.”
McGregor admitted the Dortmund drubbing was painful but the squad have regrouped and are ready to get back in the fight against the top teams on the continent. He said: “We went to Germany with the same feeling as everyone else. We were riding the wave in terms of how well we were playing and full of belief.
“You get humbled a little bit in terms of the way the game panned out. I could see it in the players they were ready for the game and to show their quality.
“But we just need to temper that a little bit and have more control to be able to pick your moments. I think you’ve always got something to prove, especially when you play for Celtic. Even more so when you take a sore one.
“Then of course everyone’s looking for that reaction. Personally and collectively, people are looking to see what direction you’re going to go in. It’s important that we show we’re together and we’re a team that wants to fight and try to get as many points as we can at this level.
Belief and confidence have got a massive part to play in that. We understand that we had a poor night the last time out and it’s only us that can fix it. It’s only us that have that opportunity to turn that around.”
McGregor admits the continuing loss of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor is a blow. But the skipper is convinced deputies Auston Trusty and Alex Valle can step up and do the business.
He said: “It’s a squad game, that’s why the big teams have big squads. At any given time players can get injured and it’s away from the script.
“You need to find another solution. Auston has come in, playing on the other side and it’s a challenge for him as well. It’s up to the group to help him as well. Of course you miss big players though.”