Matthew Lindsay

CALLUM McGregor last night revealed the chance to play European football was a major factor in his decision to commit his long-term future to Celtic.

McGregor could easily have moved to the Premier League in England like his former team mate Kieran Tierney this summer when Leicester City were interested in signing him.

But he admitted the chance to play clubs like Lazio, who the treble treble winners will face in the Europa League this evening, swayed him.

“People are quick to judge Scottish football,” he said. “To come to a stadium like this is amazing. The stadium has a capacity of over 70,000. There aren’t many teams in the world who come and play in venues like this.

“When you sit here you realise how lucky you are to play for a club like this. You realise you have done something right and are in a good place.”

The midfielder, who signed a five year contract that ties him to the Parkhead club until 2024 yesterday, believes the treble treble winners can transfer their domestic success to the continent in future.

McGregor added: “In the last few seasons we have obviously done really well domestically. I think now it is about us trying to cut our teeth in Europe and trying to make a real statement in there as well.

“The way we have started in the group has been great. So we come here tomorrow night and if we get a positive result it gives us a real chance of going and progressing in the group.

“That is something we have spoken about. It is important that if we come here and get a positive result we can start to look to do something in Europe.”