In the aftermath of Celtic’s heartbreaking Scottish Cup Final loss to Aberdeen, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has targeted Celtic captain Callum McGregor, reigniting the two’s long-standing feud.
Aberdeen won the 2025 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in extra time. Celtic’s bid for a domestic triple under Brendan Rodgers was halted by missed penalties from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston. Aberdeen’s tenacity, typified by custodian Dimitar Mitov’s vital saves, earned them their first Scottish Cup since 1990.
Kris Boyd criticised McGregor’s play after the match, pointing up his missed penalty. Boyd has previously questioned McGregor’s world-class reputation, claiming that only Ronaldo and Messi meet that description.
The feud between Boyd and McGregor began in 2022, when Boyd wrote in a blog that Rangers players should have “tested out” McGregor’s protective face mask during a game, indicating that they should have targeted his facial injuries.
The statements prompted controversy, prompting a chat between the two, in which Boyd admitted his bad choice of words and McGregor emphasised the importance of player safety.
As Celtic reflect on their squandered treble opportunity, the focus is on McGregor’s leadership and performance. The continuous competition with Boyd adds another element of drama to Celtic’s season, emphasising the intense scrutiny that players experience in high-stakes games.
