CALLUM McGregor echoed the sentiments of his manager following Celtic’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last night (Tuesday), and hailed the physical and mental benefits of locking horns with one of the best teams in the world.

In the absence of the injured Scott Brown, McGregor wore the captain’s armband and said that, while naturally disappointed with the result, he would much rather challenge himself against the best than have an easier time against lesser opposition.

“It was tough,” the midfielder told Celtic TV after the match. “When you come up against top-class opposition, you know it’s going to be a test. It was a match that the boys were looking forward to, and you can obviously see the difference in quality.

“We conceded a goal a minute in, so we weren’t switched on from the start, but I think after that, we got to grips with the game a little bit more. We played the shape pretty well, and managed to stifle them on occasion. Against top-class opposition, then we were reasonably happy with that first half.

“We had some good opportunities on the counter-attack. You have to try and be a threat as well when you’re playing against a good opposition, and I thought we did that on numerous occasions, in the first half and the second. Our play probably did deserve a goal. Pre-season is all about fitness, and again, playing teams like this is a good test for us.”

McGregor hails mental benefits of Paris Saint-Germain contest