Callum McGregor deal could be agreed after Celtic 'negotiating' switch
Celtic fans should not be concerned about club captain Callum McGregor heading elsewhere after his recent change of agent.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the 33-year-old has sanctioned the switch in preparation for negotiating his final contract with the Bhoys.
The Scotland international has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, with former bosses Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou both now managing in the Pro League.
However, Wyness believes that the change of agent is likely to be a “negotiating tactic,” rather than any genuine desire for a new challenge for the skipper.
McGregor remains under contract at Parkhead until the summer of 2028, and is fresh off a season that saw him start in 36 of the 38 Scottish Premiership games.
The academy graduate now has 12 full seasons under his belt as a senior player for the Hoops, and has recently held talks with Martin O'Neill over his future.
Callum McGregor at risk of ‘tarnishing’ his legacy
Aberdeen’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs – believes that McGregor has no actual desire to leave Celtic this summer.
The Scottish businessman made it clear that the veteran may “tarnish his legacy” by moving to the Middle East, rather than seeing out his career with the Bhoys.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained the likely reasoning behind the change of agent for McGregor.
“I've come across this situation before in my own time, and my reading was that he's got a new agent because he wants to negotiate the last contract that he's going to have with Celtic,” he said.
“I actually see it as the opposite of him thinking about leaving the club. I think it's more about negotiating how he's going to be staying longer term, and whether he will be staying on (after his playing career).
“I think it would be a mistake for him to go. He should not tarnish his legacy. I think there's lots of ways they can make it a really good last contract for him and maintain that relationship.
“He is the right type of guy to stay on with Celtic and contribute for a long time. So I don't think there's any real desire (to leave). While they may threaten, I think that's just a negotiating tactic; it's all about making sure that they get the right deal for him.
“It'll be about: is he going to go into management and coaching, and what's his role going to be going forward. So that's probably why a new agent may have more skills in those areas. So I wouldn't be too concerned if I was a Celtic fan about that.”
Celtic make Johnny Kenny transfer decision
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Celtic will consider any offers that come their way for young striker Johnny Kenny this summer.
O'Neill opted to ship the frontman out on that loan back in January, and sources have indicated that it will be hugely difficult for Kenny to fight his way back into the fold under the veteran boss.
As a result, Celtic are ready to cash in on the youngster this summer, with a move to the English Championship the most likely outcome for him at the moment.