[ad_pod ]

Former Celtic coach John Collins reckons midfielder Callum McGregor has been a Champions League level player from day one at the club, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

What's he said?

Collins of course worked extensively with the player when he was assistant manager to Ronny Deila, just as McGregor was really making a name for himself in a Hoops shirt.

The former Celtic midfielder reckons that McGregor was at first under appreciated by supporters but is the model professional that other stars should look to aspire to at the club.

How does Neil Lennon turn his doubters into believers? The answer lies in the video below...

As quoted by The Scottish Sun, he said:

"He scored massive goals for Celtic from the minute he went in. He was a Champions League goalscorer from the off, it wasn’t something he turned into.

He produced from the moment he was given that first-team jersey and Celtic fans didn’t appreciate him enough. They were the first to moan when he had one bad pass.

I always spoke to Callum during that period. I told him he was a top player, I was always reassuring him and urging him to keep doing what he was doing. He’s humble, he hasn’t changed and I knew he would go on to have a great career.

He trains correctly every day, he’s a coach’s dream, and I told Brendan Rodgers that when he first phoned to ask about the job and players. I told him he would enjoy working with Callum and he was a fixture in Brendan’s team."

Celtic's best player?

McGregor was undoubtedly in the conversation when considering who Celtic's player of the season was last term.

The biggest benefit he brings to the team is not only providing a defensive presence but also being able to dictate attacking play from a deeper position, allowing other players to commit to runs beyond the opposition defenders.

Playing more games than any of his teammates, he scored goals, created assists and was the beating heart of the Hoops midfield.

It's no surprise to hear Collins speak so fondly of him and it won't be the last praise McGregor receives during what will surely be a long and successful career.