CALLUM McGREGOR, the Celtic midfielder, is an upstanding example of the modern, young Scotsman, freely discussing his hopes and aspirations in public with no compunction about using words such as "love", "passion" and "emotions".

Speaking about orgasms, though, is clearly something still best left to the Scandinavians.

McGregor joined in the raucous celebrations that followed Celtic's 2-1 victory in Aberdeen on Sunday and the champions' ascent to the top of the SPFL Premiership for the first time this term.

The sense of release within the manager, Ronny Deila, in particular, was obvious. The Norwegian has had his share of criticism since taking over at Parkhead. Uncertainty over his long-term suitability for the position remains but the club's supporters, conducted with such vigour from the field by John Guidetti and Leigh Griffiths, savoured the manager's clenched fist salutes after the final whistle at Pittodrie.

Awaiting journalists also savoured Deila's rather risque description of Celtic's performance as "orgasmic".

McGregor either possesses a more Caledonian conservatism or a more interesting life between the sheets, but seemed a tad unsure when asked whether he agreed events in the distant north were "orgasmic" or perhaps even more.

"It's a strange word, that, isn't it?," smiled McGregor. "Nah, it was good, though. I did enjoy it."

Certainly, the explosion of joy which greeted Virgil van Dijk's late winner at Pittodrie following a disputed Stefan Johansen corner confirmed that Celtic's players, if not exactly all of their supporters, remain engaged with and excited by the seemingly inevitable journey towards another title triumph.

Guidetti, Jason Denayer, Stefan Scepovic and Wakaso Mubarak, for example, have yet to experience a title win. McGregor, now 21, is also waiting for his first senior medal and is quick to downplay the suggestion that a campaign missing the rivalry provided by Rangers - or any genuine competition - has become a little mundane.

"That's not true at all," said McGregor, who featured as a second half substitute against Aberdeen with James Forrest now back in the starting XI. "There was a lot of passion in the celebrations at the final whistle on Sunday. It just showed what it means to us.

"This is a new experience for me. I have done it at youth level, but doing it at first-team level would be unbelievable.

"I think the celebrations were down to a mixture of everything, really - going top of the league, winning the game after going down to 10 men [after Scott Brown was sent off]. The atmosphere at the match was great and there was a bit of relief. Emotions were running high.

"The gaffer was a bit animated afterwards. You could see what it means to him. He was buzzing in the changing room. It's a passionate game and that's why we love it."

McGregor stated last month that he found it "a bit embarrassing" to look at Celtic sitting in mid-table in the Premiership. Perhaps a little like his manager, the midfielder has had cause to reflect on the exact terminology used, but he much prefers the view from above that his side now enjoy.

"Embarrassing is a strong word and maybe it wasn't the right one to use," he said. "There is certainly nothing embarrassing about playing for a club like Celtic. I was a bit annoyed at the time with the way the results were going.

"We've won the last six games and the team is starting to gel. It could be the end of the settling-in period. We have got over the bad start, everything is coming together."