It is perhaps fitting that Celtic captain Callum McGregor will unfurl the Scottish Premiership league flag on Sunday.

The Hoops will begin their title defence against Jim Goodwin's Aberdeen side at Parkhead. If ever a player typified the beating heart and spirit of an Ange Postecoglou team then it was undoubtedly McGregor.

Eyebrows were raised when he took over the armband from Scott Brown last summer. It is not easy to replace a man who departed the club with the three simple words that perfectly summed up his time at Celtic: 'Captain Leader Legend'.

McGregor never shirked the responsibility though and grew into the role big time. Last season he proved himself to be a natural-born leader as he expertly marshalled Postecoglou's troops on the field to the League and League Cup double.

The 29-year-old has a massive influence in the Celtic changing room so much so that Kieran Tierney had been touting him as the new Celtic skipper long before Brown vacated the role. It was perhaps McGregor's destiny to be the Celtic skipper and join an elite band of men who have held the honour before him.

The sheer unbridled joy and delight at becoming a title-winning Hoops captain at the first time of asking was etched all over his face on trophy presentation day against Motherwell in May. In fact, it is arguably only Postecoglou himself who would have been a marginally popular choice than McGregor to hoist the league flag on Sunday.

It will undoubtedly be a proud moment for the player and his family. He even channelled his inner Paul "There's a buzz about the place", McStay in the process.

Celtic Way:

McGregor said: "When you think about the people that have done it over the years, for the club to ask me to do it is a huge honour personally, and for my family to watch that. It’s always a brilliant day when you get to unfurl the league flag at Celtic Park. There’s a real buzz and energy about the place with plenty of anticipation of the new season ahead. I’m very grateful to get the opportunity to do it and once we get it out the way it’s down to business and making sure we perform and get the three points. The excitement of a new season spurs you on and the challenge is to go and be champions again.”

He also achieved something that even the inspirational Maestro didn't manage in his distinguished Celtic career. That is to deliver the Scottish Premiership title as Celtic skipper.

From welcoming the clubs' new recruits to performing impromptu huddles in matches - particularly in the aftermath of last season's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers at Hampden Park - to taking on complete responsibility during games as well as always being available to alleviate the pressure on defenders, McGregor has been the consummate professional for his manager.

He has been the absolute key for Postecoglou getting his message across as well as helping instil a winning mentality and belief into the Celtic players that they could all be winners. The Aussie has acknowledged it on many occasions and so too have all McGregor's Celtic teammates.

Ironically enough these are all the same compliments and accolades that McStay's Celtic teammates used to say about him. Joe Hart even sang the Callum McGregor song when he partied on holiday with Celtic fans in the summer.

"Callum, Callum McGregor...There's no one better..."

Indeed.

Praise does not really come much higher than that.

As for Postecoglu and McGregor, the duo have been a match made in Paradise - haven't they?

Roll on Sunday. Celtic have won the league again.

It's time for captain marvel Callum McGregor to fly the flag.

This piece is an extract from today’s Celtic Digest newsletter, which is emailed out at 4pm every weekday with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from The Celtic Way team. To receive our full, free newsletter including this analysis straight to your email inbox, click here and tick the box for The Celtic Digest