Martin O'Neill plans crunch future talks with Celtic captain Callum McGregor
Martin O'Neill is set to discuss Callum McGregor's future after the captain switched agents.The midfielder changed to Unique Sports Group, the same agency as former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who now manages Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.AdvertisementMcGregor has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and hinted in April he could leave if the club did not match his ambition.O'Neill said: "Sometimes those things get lost in translation a little bit."I don't think he meant it as bad as that."I haven't had a conversation with him. I will do during the course of pre-season, see how he's fixed."O'Neill praised McGregor's contribution to the team, describing him as "terrific for us."AdvertisementHe added: "He's been a really good captain anyway, but last season, right from the start, from the first time that I came in in late October, until right to the end of the season with the second spell, I thought he was brilliant."When asked about McGregor's switch of agency, O'Neill said: "Apparently so."He hasn't hinted to me he wants to leave at this minute."That would be a bad blow. But sometimes money is a big thing, particularly when you're past 30.Advertisement"I will have a chat with him. He hasn't brought it up at this moment, so maybe if he doesn't speak to me, it'll be all right."But if he does, I will tell him that we want him at the football club."But obviously if something comes in that is just mind-boggling for him, that becomes a different issue."O'Neill also highlighted McGregor's importance to the club, comparing him to club legends Paul Lambert and Neil Lennon.AdvertisementHe said: "He is really important to us in many aspects because he knows the football club."Sometimes when you bring in young lads who, like even the Colombian [new signing Camilo Duran], maybe they’ve heard of Celtic but not really know what [it's about]. I think that's all you need is half an hour with Callum to let them know."
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