A BALL BHOY'S OWN STORY

Calmac had a ringside seat when Celts joined the big guns in the knockouts - now he wants to help restore their fierce Euro reputation

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

CALLUM MCGREGOR has picked up so many awards and accolades over his Celtic career he's probably had to reinforce his mantlepiece.

The Hoops captain doesn't need to stretch too far in his home to get his hands on some kind of winners' medal, with 23 in his collection and counting.

But one type of reward doesn't need any Brasso to keep its shine - and it's always stayed just out of reach.

McGregor had a ringside seat when Celtic made a habit of joining Europe's big guns in the knockout stages in the Champions League.

He was still a fresh-faced ballboy when Shunsuke Nakamura was curling in belters on the way to consecutive last-16 spots under Gordon Strachan.

And he was around the edges again when Celts stunned Barcelona and then saw off Spartak Moscow to progress under Neil Lennon in 2013.

But there's been a decade of heartache since in the premier competition. Near misses, damaging defeats, moral victories and painful losses.

And sticking a Celtic ball in the bowl for the UEFA draw has become the one thing missing from McGregor's spectacular CV.

The captain has seen success at this level and wants some for the current side.

McGregor said: "I would have been there back then-I probably would have been in ball boy, actually, at those games.