DEMAND AND DELIVER

CAL TO ARMS Celtic skipper McGregor

- BY RYAN MCDONALD

CELTIC stand on the brink of Champions League history.

Never before have the club qualified for the group stage in four consecutive years. Now, with only Kairat Almaty standing in their way of a place among Europe's elite, another £40million windfall is on the line. There's absolutely no doubt in Callum McGregor's mind the Hoops belong on the biggest stage.

But after reaching the knockouts last season, only to suffer a sucker punch with the final kick of the ball in Munich, McGregor is convinced this group can go further - starting tonight.

"I think so," he said. "Obviously we've proved it, certainly towards the latter half of last season's campaign.

To be looked at as a good team you have to keep doing it - you can't just do it the once..

"But to be considered a good team you have to keep doing it. You can't just do it once, you need to keep doing it, keep proving that you're good at the level.

"Hopefully the lads will have felt that over the last 12 months and will arrive into this game with the belief we can get through the tie and be in there proper again.

"We need to do a lot right but I believe when we defend properly and we're aggressive in the game, then we're a good side and we can give everybody a game."

Just about everyone of a green and white persuasion would have bitten your hand off for a crack at the Kazakhs.

Almaty are novices at this level, with just one group stage appearance in their history the 2021-22 Conference League.