Callum McGregor feels he can help “build something special” with Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, despite speculation surrounding the captain’s future.
The 33-year-old has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent months.
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The former Scotland midfielder stressed in April that he wanted to keep playing for the Parkhead side but also make sure the club “continue to push”.
Reports have claimed he has recently changed his agency to the same group that represents former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who is currently in charge of Saudi Pro League outfit Al Qadsiah.
That development has intensified talk about McGregor’s future, but he has since spoken of his motivation to deliver more success under O’Neill.
Discussing the permanent return of O’Neill – who guided Celtic to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double last term – and his backroom team, McGregor told club media: “All amazing guys who gave absolutely everything for the club and the cause last season.
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“Especially second time round, it would have been easy to stay away, and they took that challenge.
“That tells you the type of people they are. They like a challenge, they face it head on. That’s exactly the way I am as well as a player and a person.
“So to see them back in the dugout and everybody back together gives that nice feeling that we can move forward and build something special.”
Unrest between the Celtic support and the club’s hierarchy continues to bubble away, though, with forward Camilo Duran the only incoming signing of their transfer window so far.
As well as McGregor, speculation also surrounds the futures of Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate.
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Manager O’Neill was reported as saying that McGregor “hasn’t hinted to me he wants to leave”, but he conceded that “money is a big thing, particularly when you’re past 30”.
However, when asked how motivated he was after taking his major trophy count to 26 with last season’s double, the captain said: “That’s the job of a Celtic player, that you don’t get tired of winning.
“We have set ourselves an unbelievable standard over the last 14 or 15 years, being successful, winning numerous titles and trophies, and trying to push all the time in European football to be as good as we can be.
“And all that does is bring bigger expectations, a bigger target on your back, so you then have to work even harder to defend it.
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“The players and the core group that have been here for a long time understand that and they have to drive that level.
“As a Celtic player you can never ever be bored of winning and trying to be the best that you can be, and trying to improve individually and collectively.”
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