Callum McGregor has been used to nothing but pure dominance as a Celtic player.
Never mind just winning title after title, the Celtic captain is used to winning Treble after Treble, whether it’s under Ange Postecoglou or Brendan Rodgers.
On Sunday, the Premiership leaders pushed closer to the Treble when Celtic beat Hibernian 2-0 in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
After the Hoops were knocked out of Europe by Bayern Munich last month, the previously packed schedule has eased for the players, including very few games in midweek.
This was the case from Celtic’s win over St Mirren in the Premiership last week to their quarter-final showdown with Hibs and now the upcoming Glasgow derby on Sunday.
Usually, when the games are on top of each other, McGregor is the one who doesn’t just start every match, but plays the entire 90 minutes, regardless.
But that hasn’t been the case during the last few matches.
John Collins is told why Callum McGregor was substituted during Celtic’s win over Hibernian
Away at St Mirren and now at home to Hibs, McGregor was taken off by Rodgers, with John Collins labelling it ‘unusual’ when Luke McCowan replaced him after 75 minutes.
Collins shared how this isn’t the type of thing that happens, but it was explained to him on BBC Radio Scotland that the 31-year-old has a ‘slight calf problem’.
“Unusual from Callum (McGregor) to come off at this time,” said Collins. “We haven’t seen him coming off.”
Pat Bonner then explained: “He took him off last week also. Engels stepped back into that position.”
BBC Presenter then added: “He has a slight calf problem, McGregor. He did come off against St Mirren last weekend.”
Collins then stated: “That explains it. Nothing to do with his football or his performance.”
McGregor’s season in numbers for Celtic
The international break is coming up, so it will provide McGregor with plenty of time to rest, especially given that he has retired from Scotland duty.
That call, made after the last European championships, has allowed the midfielder to put more into Celtic and perhaps increase his career on the domestic stage because it has been non-stop.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Premiership | 27 | 8 | 1 | 2.266′ |
 | UEFA Champions League | 10 | – | – | 900′ |
 | League Cup | 4 | – | – | 390′ |
 | SFA Cup | 3 | 1 | – | 230′ |
| Total 24/25: | 44 | 9 | 1 | 3.786′ | |
It also needs to be noted that, with the Champions League being revamped and extra games being added, then it’s more minutes in the legs for the man with the armband.
Either way, this is turning out to be another fine season for the boyhood Celtic fan, as another Treble awaits.
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