Callum McGregor shellshocked by seismic Celtic moment that nothing in his career compares to

The Hoops skipper, 32, is on the verge of leading the club to greatest league triumph in generations

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor(Image: Robert Perry/PA Wire)

Callum McGregor reckons Kelechi Iheanacho’s dramatic penalty winner was the BIGGEST moment he has ever witnessed in a Celtic shirt.

Super-sub Iheanacho bagged a controversial 99th-minute spot kick to rescue the Hoops’ title dreams and set up a blockbuster final day decider at home to Hearts. Serial-winning McGregor has lifted an astonishing 24 major honours in green and white – but admits nothing compares to Wednesday night’s chaotic ending at Fir Park.

He said: “Probably for the first time, shellshocked. I’ve seen a lot things in football. I said to Kels it’s the biggest moment I’ve seen here for a long, long time. Probably the whole time I’ve been here, everything resting on it.

“Obviously you do the maths around what we would have had to do at the weekend, but credit to him. He’s a big personality, a big player who steps up in the big moments and gets us over the line. Now it’s in our own hands.”

The dramatic last-gasp victory made it six league wins on the spin for rejuvenated Celtic.

And while Motherwell were left furious with the contentious VAR decision, McGregor insists Martin O’Neill’s men deserved the three points.

He said: “I thought it was a good game. Motherwell started well and then I thought we got control when we scored, but it was a game which ebbed and flowed.

“They’re good with the ball, they make you work hard but I thought after the weekend in terms of everything the boys had to put into it, emotionally, physically, to still be recovering and then get to that level again – I definitely thought we deserved to win the game over the balance.

“Of course, both teams had chances but I thought the boys worked really hard, stayed with the task and ultimately got our rewards.”

Celtic have now collected a staggering 19 points from goals scored after the 80th minute this season – a clear sign of their late, late steel.

And for all the criticism that has come their way, McGregor is proud of a squad that simply refuses to give up.

He said: “Yeah, I think you can see that. There was probably even a wee spell before the second goal where we did look a wee bit leggy. But it’s everything you put into the game, the pressing actions from the weekend and then obviously Wednesday night.

“The fans drove us on. Once we equalised, we then go on the ascendency again and it’s a hallmark of this team where they just never know when they’re beat.

“You need that playing for Celtic. There will be tough moments that you have to come through and again we find another moment from somewhere which has been typical of this group so big, big credit has to go to them.”

Celtic now know a win over Hearts at Parkhead tomorrow will clinch five-in-a-row and complete one of the most remarkable title triumphs in the club’s history.

Pumped-up McGregor is raring to go and told Celtic TV: ”I can’t wait. We obviously knew it was going to be tight. Our aim was to take it to the last day. It’s in our hands and that’s all we can ask for.

“From where we were in late December, to be back involved, and we’ve been under pressure now for two or three months in having to win every game, the players have responded so well and now we have the chance to have our day on Saturday.

“So now it’s about preparing properly, resting over the next two days and then we have to go for it. I’m sure the stadium will be white hot in terms of atmosphere, and we have to go and take the game to them and, ultimately, see if we can win the game.”