Callum McGregor is resolute in his desire to lead Celtic into the knockout stages of the Champions League, aiming to erase the club’s longstanding reputation as one of Europe’s nearly men. The Hoops captain is frustrated by the constant near-misses and hard-luck stories that have defined Celtic’s European campaigns over the years. Since their last memorable success in 2013, when Neil Lennon’s side stunned Barcelona on the way to the last 16, Celtic have struggled to break through the group stage, and McGregor is determined to change that.

The stakes are high for McGregor and his teammates as they face Swiss champions Young Boys in Glasgow on Wednesday night. A victory would secure their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare, marking a major milestone for the club. McGregor, reflecting on the years of trying and failing to progress, made it clear that this is a defining moment for Celtic. “It would mean a lot, obviously,” McGregor said. “We’ve tried and failed pretty much most of the time. It’s a big step for the club. Everybody wants to be a part of it. We’ve done ever so well so far, but we don’t want to be the nearly team. We feel like we’ve got a team here, a profile of player and squad that should be getting success.”

For McGregor and his teammates, this isn’t just about making up the numbers or delivering good performances without rewards. They are determined to back up their fine displays with tangible success. “It’s now down to the players to prove that,” McGregor continued. “No more hard luck stories? Yeah, yeah, exactly. You want to be a team that is successful, that can get to the next phase and try and get even further than that.” Celtic’s skipper is clear that the club’s European journey shouldn’t be defined by narrow defeats or near-advances; it’s about tangible progress and the kind of results that matter at the highest level.

While McGregor is proud of Celtic’s performances thus far, he knows that without qualification, all the hard work and effort will be for nothing. “We’ve done a lot of good work, and I think with the work that we’ve done and the performances that we’ve given, if we do fall short now, then that would be a sore one for us, because we have been so good,” McGregor admitted. “At the end of the eight games, people will just see whether we qualified, if we’re not qualified, and then they’ll just forget about the performances.”

For Celtic, this isn’t just another Champions League campaign—it’s a chance to prove they belong among Europe’s elite. “That’s what I’m talking about, about being a nearly team,” McGregor explained. “We need to back that up with something tangible as well. That’s the type of success that we want to bring.” With the club’s last qualification for the knockout stages coming more than a decade ago, McGregor and his squad are keen to change the narrative and take Celtic to the next level. “It’s been a long time since the club has done it,” he said. “So can we be the group of players that bring us back to that level? It’s certainly what we want as a club, and, if we do that, the players can feel proud of themselves as well.”

Celtic’s strong home form in this year’s Champions League has provided a solid foundation for their qualification hopes. The team has remained unbeaten at Parkhead, with victories over Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig, as well as a draw with Club Brugge. McGregor pointed to the stunning 4-1 win over Leipzig as an example of the level of performance Celtic is capable of. “Hopefully, that’s the aim,” McGregor said when reflecting on that impressive night. “We always speak about when we come to this level you have to do a lot right and I think that night we were pretty much perfect. As good as we’ve been in a night like this. We have to find a similar level of performance and we have to be clinical when we get the opportunities when we’re up in the game.”

McGregor also acknowledged the importance of maturity and game management when Celtic are in control. “We’ve got to take them and then we’ve got to be mature against the ball as well,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of that, we’ve been pretty good. We just have to bring it.” This blend of clinical finishing and defensive maturity will be key to ensuring Celtic’s progression, and McGregor is confident that his team can deliver.

While Celtic’s attacking prowess has been on full display this season, McGregor remains cautious of underestimating their opponents, particularly Young Boys. He knows that European teams will not take Celtic lightly, especially after the impressive performance against Leipzig. “I think teams now, probably after the Leipzig game, are maybe giving us a bit more respect,” McGregor said. “It’s similar if you come flying after Celtic, the good players will pick you off and they’ve got speed in transition and all these things. So I think now teams are giving us a bit more respect.”

However, McGregor also highlighted the tactical adjustments teams are making when facing Celtic, with many opting for a more compact defensive approach. “They’re a bit more mid-pitch block, trying to force you down one side and trap you there,” he said. “So it’s up to us to find a solution to that of course. But it’s a good thing because teams are now respecting what we can do at this level.” This respect is a testament to Celtic’s growing stature in European football, and McGregor is determined to ensure that his team continues to earn that respect through their performances and, crucially, through their results.

For McGregor, the goal is clear: qualification to the knockout stages and beyond. With a squad full of talent, determination, and ambition, Celtic are ready to prove that they belong among Europe’s best.