Some Celtic fans have been buzzing after midfielder Callum McGregor recently talked about how Ronny Deila helped him in his career at Parkhead.
In a recent interview, McGregor talked about Deila’s time at Celtic. The midfielder said that Deila gave him the chance to ‘go and perform’ in the club’s first team. The Scotsman said that he will always be ‘grateful’ to the former manager for handing him his big break. McGregor also credited Deila for his ability to give chances to younger players like himself and Kieran Tierney.
These comments from McGregor were relayed on Twitter by CelticBible. Many Celtic fans flocked to this and had high praise for their midfielder.
Our best player by a mile.
— Conzo (@CON7_O) May 28, 2020
Has McGregor been Celtic's best player this season?
Absolutely!
I don't think so
Well done to Callum, a terrific footballer, endless energy with a terrific football brain, absolutely essential to Celtic.
Well done to Ronnie D, for nurturing that talent. ?????????— thomas brown (@thojude) May 28, 2020
My favourite Celtic player, I rate him above pretty much every Celtic midfielder since I was old enough to really understand the game, and he’s only just starting to reach his peak.
We are extremely lucky that his quality has been missed by some of the big spenders.
— MonThe (@hoopleheads_) May 29, 2020
The Premiership 2019/20 season saw McGregor play regularly in midfield for the Hoops. He made 30 appearances in the competition, scoring nine goals, while also racking up seven assists. In all competitions, he has played as many as 50 games and directly contributed to a total of 23 goals (via Transfermarkt).
Considering his numbers and how often he’s played, it is understandable why Celtic fans have a liking for McGregor. But some Hoops fans praised and thanked Deila for developing some players at Parkhead.
We have a massive debt of gratitude , Thanks Ronny
— DAVID MCDONALD (@dmcd67) May 28, 2020
The signings he made as well. Johansson, Armstrong, Guidetti Denayer Roberts Christie and Simunovic are all first class all be it he had a few stinkers
— Matthew Doherty (@_MatthewDoherty) May 28, 2020
Don’t forget James Forrest as well. He has hardly been injured at all since Ronny got him fit. He could hardly play 4 games in a row beforehand
— hugh mcgreechin (@shuggiemac1) May 28, 2020
Deila was the Celtic manager for two years. He had joined the club in the summer of 2014 and later went on to manage Valerenga and is currently in charge of MLS side New York City FC (via Transfermarkt).
The fact that Deila won the Premiership title in both seasons at the helm shows that he indeed was a very good manager and Celtic fans are right to be hailing him.