SEIZE THE MOMENT: McGregor urges Celtic to beat Young Boys ... and show they're not the nearly men of Champions League
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Callum McGregor has urged his Celtic team-mates to seize the moment against Young Boys on Wednesday night and ensure they’re no longer the nearly men of the Champions League. Not since Neil Lennon’s team defeated Spartak Moscow in season 2012-13 have the Parkhead club advanced to the knock-out round of the tournament.
![[The Celtic skipper leads from the front during a training session at Lennoxtown]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/19/94362139-0-image-a-36_1737489006675.jpg)
With nine points already taken from their opening six matches, a win for Brendan Rodgers’ side against the Swiss champions will see them secure qualification for the play-off round - with the trip to Aston Villa yet to come next week. McGregor made his debut after Lennon’s outfit reached the latter stages 12 years ago, and admits that a failure to follow in their foosteps has been a source of frustration.
![[Engels and McCowan see the funny side ahead of clash with Young Boys]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/22/94362115-14310269-Engels_and_McCowan_see_the_funny_side_ahead_of_clash_with_Young_-a-1_1737498840417.jpg)
Imploring the class of 2025 to take full advantage of the enviable position in which they find themselves, the captain issued a rallying cry to change the narrative. ‘We’ve tried and failed pretty much most of the time,’ said McGregor. ‘It’s a big step for the club. Everybody wants to be a part of it.
![[Full back Johnston keeps his eye on the ball as Celtic players prepare for visit of Swiss]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/19/94362133-0-image-a-39_1737489087604.jpg)
McGregor is confident Celtic can reach knockout stages of tournament. The Celtic skipper leads from the front during a training session at Lennoxtown. Engels and McCowan see the funny side ahead of clash with Young Boys. ‘We’ve done ever so well so far, but we don’t want to be the nearly team. We feel like we’ve got a team here, a profile of player and squad that should be getting success.
![[Daizen Maeda is a study in concentration before big European tie with Young Boys]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/19/94362131-0-image-a-40_1737489153365.jpg)
