In a rare move, Celtic subbed Callum McGregor off against St Mirren.
The Hoops captain has started every game since being brought back into the fold after a calf strain in March.
McGregor only missed two games with said injury, but O’Neill’s decision to withdraw him indicates that he is still having issues with it.
The interim Celtic boss cleared the situation up after the game.
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Martin O’Neill confirms Callum McGregor issue in Celtic vs St Mirren
Discussing his captain after the game, O’Neill said: “Callum McGregor, he had a bit of a problem during the week but wanted to play.
“I’m delighted that he did and really didn’t feel any worse than before.
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“I’m absolutely delighted that he got through as much as he did, so we need him. And a few others, but we stayed strong.
“We defended the corner kicks and free kicks, obviously, pretty well. But St Mirren played very well.
“[McGregor’s issue being resolved] would be great, yeah. I’ve got a habit of telling you on a Friday everything is rosy and then coming up and telling you a day later, well I’m not so sure.
“I think now a few days off for him, I think he’ll be ready. I think psychologically, playing the game today was big news for him.
“Not that we were saving anybody for a semi-final, not at all. That’s there, that’s in the next eight days or something.
“We weren’t saving anybody. He wanted to play, he wanted to start the game and he felt okay to start it. So that’s good and I don’t think he’s done any harm.”
Thoughts on the 1-0 win?
Is it really all just about the result?
Few players anywhere have played as many minutes over the last eight seasons as McGregor, who is the definition of a mainstay in the Celtic team.
He hadn’t missed a single game until the tie at Ibrox, having started every game this season bar one (when he was subbed on against Livingston) until his calf issue last month.
The Hoops skipper has become famous for his physical robustness, often playing every minute while available, and rarely sustaining injury.
Back in the 2018-19 season, a 25-year-old McGregor played 5,849 minutes, more than any other player in the world.
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