They are saying the shirt doesn’t shrink to suit inferior gamers.
However maybe Jock Stein’s well-known outdated quote may also be utilized to Celtic ’s armband.
When Scott Brown known as time on his glittering captaincy final summer season, many questioned if Callum McGregor had the presence or the dimensions of persona required to fill the big void left behind by this shaven-headed drive of nature.
Seems they needn't have nervous. The person within the masks was voted Scotland’s participant of the yr by his friends on Sunday evening, hours after main his crew to a draw on derby day - a end result that has all however secured the reclamation of Brown’s favorite piece of silverware.
9 occasions he claimed it over the course of 10 trophy-laden years.
So nobody is aware of higher than Brown how McGregor will really feel when the crowning second lastly arrives.
He stated: “I understand how a lot it's going to imply to Cal when he walks on the market to carry that trophy. It’s what he’s dreamt of doing since he was a child.
“I do know he’s had his fingers on it earlier than however he’s not been up there alone on that podium, lifting it by himself. Belief me, it’s a really particular feeling.
“The perfect factor about it's the lads in that dressing room might be delighted for him and his household as a result of that’s the extent of respect he instructions all through the membership.”
Another win over Hearts this weekend will unofficially seal the deal for Ange Postecoglou’ s aspect and fulfil McGregor’s childhood ambition.
A nine-point lead with an enormous aim distinction benefit means Celtic is not going to be caught by Rangers.
However whereas McGregor would possibly nonetheless be pinching himself on the thought, Brown noticed this second coming from an extended, good distance off.
He stated: “I actually by no means had any doubts.
“Look, soccer is all about how arduous you're employed in coaching, how arduous you're employed within the gymnasium and the way you take care of your physique.
“Numerous youthful gamers take all that without any consideration however Cal had that mindset proper from the beginning.
"He desires to return first at working, he desires to be the quickest over the short-distance sprints, he desires to have essentially the most touches throughout the sport, he desires to cowl extra floor and run larger distances than anybody else on the pitch.
“He research his personal stats and he desires to higher them on a regular basis.
"When different gamers see somebody like that it makes them try to enhance too and drive their very own stats up. It rubs off on everybody.
“That’s what you get when you might have good individuals round your membership and you must preserve a maintain of them as a result of they're priceless.
"That’s why Cal was at all times destined to grow to be a profitable Celtic captain.”
However the distinction is stark.
Whereas Brown was the spontaneous, bigger than life heartbeat of Celtic’s aspect for a decade, McGregor is extra of the pondering man’s captain – quietly composed and thought of in nearly all the pieces he does.
And Brown noticed that from the beginning too. He stated: “What makes him particular? He’s a learner, that’s what. When Brendan Rodgers was the supervisor the wee man used to soak in as a lot data as he might.
He picked up very meticulous element on the best way to play completely different positions.
“He’s one in every of these gamers with a lot pure capability that he can play in a wide range of roles.
"However he additionally understands what’s required to play these positions correctly.
"I’ve seen him play left wing, No.10, centre mid, left midfield and even left-back which simply reveals how versatile he's.
"He takes all of it in his stride.
“Sure, this season was at all times going to be a tough one for him however he’s been completely flying because the begin.
"I watch him and I see a man who's rallying his troops and that’s what a great captain has to do.
“It's important to lead from the entrance and set an instance and that’s what he does each single day.
“There have been occasions this season when Celtic have been struggling however Callum has been the one demanding the ball and driving them ahead.
Signal as much as our Document Celtic publication
Get all the newest Celtic information despatched straight to your Inbox daily by signing as much as our publication.
We cowl each morsel of knowledge relating to your favorite membership within the type of articles, movies and podcasts.
The publication will arrive daily at 12pm, supplying you with a spherical up of one of the best tales we have lined that within the final 24 hours.
To enroll, merely enter your e mail handle into the hyperlink right here.
And in the event you aren't already, be sure you be a part of the dialog over on our Celtic Fb group and Document Sport Instagram.
“That’s precisely what Celtic want as a captain.
"There have been a number of adjustments in personnel so that they wanted a Scottish man who is aware of the membership and loves the membership to deliver all of it collectively.
“He’s on the core of all of it.
"There have been a number of adjustments however he’s been by the entire transformation like an absolute rock.
"There are other ways to be a captain. It’s not at all times about launching your self right into a sort out or combating with individuals.
“Callum does it his means. He reveals his intelligence on the park.
"For him, it’s all about his soccer philosophy and his mind. However he’s acquired a wee little bit of all the pieces.
“He won't be as daft because the final captain however he does have a little bit of dig in him, don’t fear about that!
“He can even weigh in with just a few targets each season and they're normally massive targets at massive moments.
"That’s whenever you realise how necessary he's to the crew.
“However total it’s all about his workrate, his enthusiasm and his drive. He pulls individuals with him and that’s what you want in a frontrunner.
“When the crew is struggling you need gamers to have a look at their captain and see him main the struggle. Within the thick of the battle he's at all times calm and composed and that’s what conjures up individuals when the chips are down.
“There was a number of weight on his shoulders final summer season, with a brand new supervisor and a number of new lads coming to the membership.
“However Cal could be very welcoming to everyone. He desires a dressing room that’s open to all. Soccer is altering however Calmac is the kind of man who places an arm spherical everybody and will get one of the best out of them. That’s the best way it needs to be.
“Completely different individuals from different backgrounds are used to their very own cultures. It’s no shock to me that the lads from Japan have all are available and performed unbelievably effectively.
"That’s most likely loads to do with the best way they’ve been handled as individuals by Cal and by the supervisor.
“It may be arduous for foreigners to return in and perceive the language, particularly broad Scottish accents. However Cal at all times makes positive he speaks to everybody and that’s what you need in a frontrunner.
“Everybody on the membership appears to be like as much as him.”