McGregor: We don’t want to be a ‘nearly team’ in Champions League
Callum McGregor says Celtic don’t want to be a “nearly team” as they strive to reach the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
A victory over Young Boys on Wednesday would all but ensure the Hoops a spot in the playoff round of the tournament.
The Hoops haven’t reached the knockout round of Europe’s biggest tournament since the 2012/13 season when they got out of a group comprising Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow.
And the skipper is hopeful they can capture all three points against the Swiss champions and qualify through the league stage with a game to spare.
Speaking on Tuesday, McGregor said: “It’s a brilliant incentive, and the players know that we want to take that responsibility, and it’s down to us to put in a performance that merits that.
“It could be a big step for the club; everyone wants to be a part of it. We have done so well so far, but we don’t want to be an almost squad.
“We feel like we have a team here who should be getting success, so it’s now down to the players to prove that.”
Young Boys have yet to collect a single point in Champions League season, but McGregor understands they will still be a difficult nut to crack and claims Celtic are taking nothing for granted as they bring their A-game.
He said: “At this level, every team is a good team, even though they haven’t done so well. We have been on the receiving end of it when we have performed well but haven’t had the rewards to go with it.
“The points never really tell the full story, we know they are a good side with good physicality, good technically and have some good players in there as well.
“When you come to this level, you always expect them to have a period in the game when they will be on top as well, and it will be up to us to turn it back in our favour.
“But we also know we are a good team as well, and we have proved that in some of the games so far, so we just have to bring it all together tomorrow and hopefully, we will have a good night.”
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