Steve Clarke can do Celtic a major favour by not playing Callum McGregor

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There will be a number of Celtic players involved for Scotland in the upcoming international double header against Russia and San Marino.

The trio of James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor could well start against Russia on Thursday. That is despite the game being all but meaningless as Scotland have little chance of finishing in the top two places in the group.

However, the Scotland manager could do Celtic a favour, when it comes to the game against San Marino on Sunday. He could give at least one Scotland player a rest and leave them out of the side.

Played a lot of football

One player in particular who could do with a break is Callum McGregor. He has played an awful lot of football for both club and country over the past season.

That undeniably has affected his performances for the Hoops this season. He has not been as consistent as he would like to have been. One game he has been excellent, the next he has been disappointing.

This was shown in the recent games against Cluj and Livingston. He was excellent in the Europa League tie, but struggled in the league game which followed.

Hoops boss won’t be giving player a rest

That might well be down to all the football that he has been playing. Neil Lennon recently admitted that he won’t be giving McGregor a break as he is too important to the team, so any break will have to be for Scotland.

It would also benefit Celtic if McGregor was left out of the Russia game, but that match will probably see Clarke pick a strong side.

That does not have to be the case with the San Marino game. That is a game that Scotland will surely win comfortably. The strongest team does not have to be selected. That should mean no place for McGregor, and who knows, perhaps Forrest and Christie will be rested as well.