Ronny Deila seeks out a front row seat for Rangers pasting as he raves about a Celtic team on a different level
In an Abu Dhabi sports bar Ronny Deila watched the television screen with a deep sense of pride.
Not just because his old club Celtic were dismantling Rangers 5000 miles away at Parkhead. But also satisfaction in the guy who was dictating it. When the Norwegian turned up in Glasgow a decade ago to manage the Hoops, a young midfielder on the books was out on loan at Notts County.
Back then, there was even a danger of Callum McGregor failing to make the grade at Parkhead and being discarded by his boyhood club. But Deila, along with assistant John Kennedy, could see something in the teenager. It wasn’t just his footballing ability either. It was his hunger and a willingness to get better.
McGregor was brought back into the Celtic fold by Deila and handed his debut against KR Reykjavik in Iceland’s capital. He scored the winner that night in a European qualifier – and the rest is history as far as CalMac is concerned. Back then he looked up to his skipper Scott Brown in midfield. Now HE is Celtic’s leader and captain on and off the pitch.
As Deila sat in front of a screen in the Middle East last weekend it was clear to him that Brendan Rodgers’ men are ahead of their Old Firm rivals in just about every department. But he believes one aspect of their current dominance is key. And it’s the fact they’ve got a captain who – after taking over from Brown – bleeds green and white and understands every fabric of the club. From experience, Deila knows that’s crucial in Glasgow. And it’s something Rangers are lacking.
McGregor was at his best in the first derby of the season as he scored in the 3-0 victory. As he assessed McGregor’s influence on the Hoops, the Al Wahda boss told MailSport : “It’s so important at the Old Firm – or any club – to have players who know the club and what it means to play there.
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