Callum McGregor 'still not over' Celtic Scottish Cup heartbreak as skipper using 'horrible' Aberdeen defeat as fuel
The skipper also paid a touching tribute to late Lisbon Lion John Clark
Callum McGregor admits he'll NEVER fully get over Celtic 's Hampden heartbreak but is hell-bent on using it as fuel once the action resumes.
The skipper saw his effort saved in the penalty shoot-out as Aberdeen claimed Scottish Cup success for the first time in 35 years. Brendan Rodgers ' Hoops, back in for the start of pre-season training on Friday, still walked away with the Premiership crown and League Cup.
But McGregor said: 'The way it ended was a real sore one and everyone watching could see that. It shows the players care, it shows how much it means to us.
'So to finish on that was a little bit horrible. You have to try to process it over the close season. But when you reflect back and take stock, another two trophies, a really good run in the Champions League, some really good football, high-level performance consistently.
'There are certainly a lot of positives to take from it. Again the only negative is the way it finished, it kind of puts a dampener on everything. But when we look back it's been another positive season and we have to now draw a line under it, we come back with full energy again and we attack the new season from scratch, day one ready to go.
'For sure, it took a while to not get over it because I don't think I'll ever fully get over it. It's the ones that you lose that stick with you more than the ones that you win.
'So all it's done is given me more fuel and more fire to achieve more and continue to win things for Celtic. That's the positive I'm taking out of it.
'I don't think I've fully got over it but I think I've now managed to use it as fuel to drive myself forward and drive the team forward. We have to draw a line in the sand now and it's a new season.'
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, returned to Lennoxtown at the end of a week in which Lisbon Lion John Clark died at the age of 84.
The 32-year-old added: 'A hugely significant figure in the club's history, hugely significant person as well. Everybody who met him and came across him will tell you how humble and nice a man he was.
'Especially when I was young coming through the academy he was someone you looked at, you saw him pretty much everywhere you went, he was always here, he dedicated his life to Celtic.
'And it's only right that we remember him in the best possible way. My condolences, my sympathy go to his family as well because it will be a tough period for them.
'I just want them to know that everybody at Celtic, all the players, all the staff, are thinking of them as well. John was an amazing person and someone who was really important for the young guys like myself coming through.
'You saw him, you knew how important he was, he always took the time to stop and speak to you and make you feel part of the club. That was the real special thing about John was even long after he stopped playing, he was such an important and special figure for the club.'
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