Callum McGregor has hailed Celtic's spirit throughout the season as one reason why they secured their fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title. It was a difficult campaign that saw Hearts lead the league for 250 days, but on the final day, the Hoops were too good to beat.
It was two late goals that secured victory for the Celts, as has been the case throughout the campaign. Late strikes have won 19 points for Martin O'Neill's side, and McGregor has praised the never-say-die mentality.
He said via The Irish News: "It was the commitment to each other, the desire, the willingness not to get beaten. Then we arrived into a few big games where if you lose, you’re done. You’re 2-0 down at Ibrox and get a draw. You show something to get yourself back in the game.
"So it’s been there in spades – you only need to see how many last-minute goals we’ve scored to tell you that, to realise we never know when we’re beaten, that you keep going and going and eventually you’ll find a moment.
"When you're the captain of the team, and it's going well, everyone's happy. Then when it goes wrong, it’s your fault, and you’ve got to fix it.
"So that’s what you have to do, to stand up, to fix it.
"You have to make sure everyone’s with you – you can’t do it on yourself, of course, but what I’ve got in that dressing room is seven, eight, nine proper men, proper leaders who want to take responsibility. And when you’ve got that, you’ve got half a chance.
"We got ourselves to a point where we were under pressure really for two or three months, when we have to win every game.
"That’s why it’s not only about football, it’s about what’s inside you. That’s been the mantra for a while – can we make the football game as good as we can, but do we have it between the ears? Because that’s where it is, between the ears."
Strong leaders won Celtic the title
Strong leaders are a big reason why Celtic won the title. If it weren't for players like McGregor, James Forrest and Martin O'Neill, we wouldn't have stood a chance, but instead, we stand here with our hands on our 56th Scottish Premiership title.
It wasn't an easy road, but it is a satisfying victory. Even the captain has hailed it as his 'best title ever', and it's hard to disagree. He says that he was always convinced the Hoops were going to turn it around, and you need someone like that in the dressing room when things get tough, because it can be easy for heads to drop.
So, massive credit to every leader at Parkhead, because if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have had a chance.
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