CALLUM McGregor last night admitted he has been mystified by the negativity towards Celtic this season - and claimed the triple treble chasers have performed just as well as they have in the previous two seasons.

The quality of football the Parkhead club has produced in the 2018/19 campaign has been criticised by media pundits and supporters alike in recent months.

But midfielder McGregor can’t understand the reaction to their displays and results given they are on the brink of making history by completing a third consecutive clean sweep of domestic trophies.

He feels if they can defeat Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Cup final at Hampden on May 25 then it will round off another highly-satisfying nine months.

“There just seems to be a negative aura around it this year,” he said. “The boys have been playing well, winning games and are in the cup final. If we win that it will be a treble treble, but apparently it’s been a poor season.

“I don’t really know why it’s been negative, but we’ve always tried to prove on the pitch everything is fine, despite the change in manager and everything.

“We actually have more points this season than last year, so I think it’s more of a perception thing. Since the turn of the year we have been in our best form over a six month period to secure the league and reach another cup final. Winning could top off a great year for us.”

Meanwhile, McGregor has congratulated his Celtic team mate James Forrest on winning the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award.

“He’s been immense for a couple of seasons now,” he said. “He went to another level when the last gaffer came in. I’m really pleased for him. He thoroughly deserves his award.”