James Forrest pleads for Callum McGregor to stay at Celtic as skipper fuels transfer exit talk

Hoops captain McGregor recently changed agencies after warning he could quit if the club didn’t match his ambition

Celtic legends James Forrest and Callum McGregor(Image: SNS Group)

James Forrest insists it’s crucial that Celtic convince Callum McGregor to snub money-spinning offers elsewhere.

Hoops stalwart McGregor reignited speculation over his future by switching to the same agency group as Brendan Rodgers over the summer. It comes after the skipper warned Parkhead chiefs he could quit the club he loves unless they matched his ambition.

McGregor, 33, has a close relationship with ex-boss Rodgers and has been heavily linked with a mega-bucks reunion in Saudi Arabia. He has also recently changed agents and is now represented by Unique Sports Group – the same agency as Rodgers.

But Forrest reckons serial-winning pal McGregor still has so much more to achieve in Glasgow and believes he’d be a major loss on and off the park.

Speaking from the club’s pre-season training camp in the Algarve, he said: “Obviously, he’s the captain, but everybody really does respect him, and he does lead.

“It’s just the way he trains, the way he plays and I think that’s really important and he’s respected by the club high up as well. He does his job unbelievably, so it’s really important to keep a guy like him here.

“He just wants the best for the club and what he’s done for the club has been unbelievable and he’s still hungry for more, he keeps wanting more. He’s started off really good in pre-season, so he’s looking really good and it’d be good to keep him. So aye, just let him keep doing what he’s doing.”

McGregor – the second most decorated Celt of all-time behind Forrest – could be swayed if the champions recruit some quality players this summer.

Camilo Duran became the club’s first signing of the window after sealing a £6million switch from Qarabag. And Forrest hopes more new faces are on the way.

He said: “I remember Rodgers saying the first time he came in, especially like me in my position, they would always be signing players.

“But I think it pushes the lads that are here onto a new level as well. I think it’s important for the club, the staff and the manager – he’ll be wanting new signings in and I actually do think it does benefit the players that are here as well.

“Maybe if players just think like, ‘oh I’ve got that position sorted’… if somebody comes in and pushes them to try to get it, it takes you to a new level.

“I think I’ve experienced that with myself and a lot of the lads over the years. So I think it’s important, it’s a fresh challenge and I think it’s good for the team.”

Colombian striker Duran linked up with his new teammates at their Portuguese training camp earlier this week. Forrest admits the 24-year-old – who scored against Newcastle, Ajax, Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt in last season’s Champions League – looks the part

The veteran winger said: “He trained with us today. Aye, he looks good. I think he scored five goals in the Champions League last year as well.

“He’s going to be a good player, he looks like a good athlete, he looks quick and that as well. So it’s exciting. I think it’s always good when we get signings in and other players look forward to that as well, so obviously we’ll see over the coming days how he is.”

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