WITH months of at-home training sessions in lockdown and some weeks of non-contact training at Lennoxtown under his belt, Callum McGregor cannot wait for the return of competitive football in Scotland. Until then, the 27-year-old said he and his team-mates are working flat out to ensure they hit the ground running at the start of the football calendar.

The midfielder said he’s loved every minute of his return to training, and now savours the chance to play in friendly matches when it's safe to do so, which will help restore match sharpness throughout the squad.

“It’s been good to be back in and back on the grass at training, but as footballers you want to be getting things ramped up, getting the contact stuff back and getting your feel back for the game,” McGregor told the media at Celtic Park, promoting next week's season ticket deadline (Tuesday, June 30).

“The boys are progressing well, everyone has come back in good condition. Now it’s about getting your football fitness and getting a feel for the ball again.

“The quicker we can get to that point, the quicker we can be ready for the games and that’s where everyone wants to be. We want to be flying come that first week in August, and we’re desperate to get the league going.”

McGregor respects the need to do so safely, but admitted he can’t wait to get fans back into Paradise as soon as possible, stressing the importance of the ever-dedicated fanbase's support ahead of such a crucial season.

He added: “Football with the fans is what everyone wants. We’re making do with what we have around the world at the moment. First and foremost, we want everyone to be safe to get back in. And then once we do get everyone back in, no doubt that’ll add to the performances.

“The boys are desperate to get everyone back, get the games back, and after having been back in at training, everyone is enjoying it, everyone is progressing well, but once the whistle blows on the first game of the season, that’s when things will start for proper. If we can get the fans in pretty soon after that, then that’ll be brilliant.”

Callum McGregor: We aim to be flying come Flag Day at Paradise