“McGregor Fires Back at Cantwell’s Bold Claim: ‘If That’s His Opinion, Good for Him’”

“McGregor Fires Back at Cantwell’s Bold Claim: ‘If That’s His Opinion, Good for Him’”

McGregor Fires Back at Rangers Playmaker: “If that’s his opinion, good for him”

Celtic captain Callum McGregor responded to comments made by Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell, in which Cantwell claimed his own desire to win “probably a little bit more” than McGregor’s.

McGregor said with a smile:

“If that’s his opinion, then good for him.”

Though he declined to elaborate further on Cantwell’s remarks, McGregor did frame the upcoming derby with Rangers as more than just banter. He emphasised the emotional intensity and mental challenge of such fixtures:

“The game is emotional … you want to be emotional when you play in the game because I think you have to find something different to try and get your team on the line.”

What This Means in the Bigger Picture

• The exchange highlights the competitive edge between the Old Firm rivals, Celtic and Rangers, with McGregor representing the leadership core at Celtic.
• McGregor’s measured response—respectful yet firm—shows his experience and focus on the task rather than the rhetoric.
• By downplaying Cantwell’s claim and redirecting attention to performance, McGregor reinforces the message that a player’s deeds matter more than verbal sparring.

Key Takeaways

• McGregor didn’t take the bait. He acknowledged Cantwell’s statement but refused to rachet up the tension.
• He worked to elevate the conversation: the derby isn’t just about individual desire, but about collective performance, edge, and solutions when the game turns messy.
• His comments suggest a calm confidence rather than bravado — he sees the fixture for what it is: a high-stakes test, not a headline-grabbing soundbite.