According to a report Brendan Rodgers is exploring an ambitious move to reunite with Callum McGregor by pushing Al Qadsiah to assemble an eye-catching financial proposal for the Celtic captain…
Colby Donovan, Callum McGregor and Brendan Rodgers all smiles after the match. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Rodgers – who last week took up a post in Saudi Arabia – is said to view McGregor as a cornerstone signing for his new project and has identified his former skipper as a prime target.
As per Scottish Sun, the ex-Celtic manager has encouraged senior figures at Al Qadsiah to put together a substantial transfer offer and an equally lucrative personal contract in an attempt to lure the midfielder away from Glasgow.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor looks frustrated at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
McGregor remains tied to Celtic until 2028, placing the Scottish champions in a strong negotiating position, and any formal approach is expected to be met with firm resistance by Dermot Desmond and the board.
However, Al Qadsiah are understood to be willing to test Celtic’s resolve, with chief executive James Bisgrove tasked with shaping a deal that could prove difficult to ignore for both Celtic and McGregor.
Rodgers has a history of attempting to sign the current Celtic captain, having failed to secure his services for Leicester City in 2019, and is believed to retain admiration for the player.
Brendan Rodgers, new manager at Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah. Photo Al Qadsiah FC
Squad regulations may also complicate any move, with Al Qadsiah already at the limit for overseas players, meaning departures would be required before McGregor could be registered.
However, prising away one of Celtic’s most influential figures appears a challenging prospect, particularly at a time when the club is seeking stability following a disastrous run of results under manager Wilfried Nancy.
Callum McGregor with Wilfried Nancy. Premier Sports Cup Final. St Mirren v Celtic. Hampden Park, Sunday 14 December 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)
It would appear unlikely that McGregor would push for a move but money talks and the Celtic captain may see it as the ideal time for a fresh start. There has been speculation that there is no love lost between Calmac and the current manager so Nancy staying in post could end up being a factor in any decision that the Celtic captain has to make on his playing future for the final few years of his career.
Whether or not the Celtic board would even engage with Rodgers given the acrimonious ending between all parties points towards this deal looking very unlikely to ever come to fruition, unless Callum forces the issue himself.
Conor Spence
Conor Spence appeared on Sky Sports yesterday afternoon representing The Celtic Star. Here’s what was said…
🍀 “There’s visible confusion and frustration with key players on the pitch…”
Conor Spence from @CelticStarMag on Wilfried Nancy’s winless start at Celtic and if he can turn things around ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/bI4VRWYW6a
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 19, 2025
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