Callum McGregor hasn’t been at his best at a declining Celtic this season.
But that doesn’t mean McGregor’s importance to Celtic isn’t as strong as ever because it was proven during the 2-2 draw at Rangers on Sunday.
Hugh Keevins wanted to give the Celtic skipper his flowers and how ‘nobody’ at the club can emulate what he brings to the table, especially from a leadership standpoint.
“There is nobody at Celtic Park right now who can emulate Callum McGregor,” said Keevins on Clyde 1.
Like the majority of the Celtic players, the man with the armband wasn’t at his best during the first period at Ibrox, but then he helped turn it around in the second half and earn Martin O’Neill’s side a much-deserved point.
What can be done to help provide more support for Callum McGregor?
Life at Celtic after Callum McGregor is worrying
At the age of 32, McGregor can no longer move around the pitch like he used to, and he needs help from those around him, but it just isn’t there.
Thankfully, the retired Scotland international won’t be going anywhere soon, but the long-term future without him does look bleak.
That’s why Keevins expressed his worry at life without McGregor for Celtic, and how there isn’t anyone in the squad right now who can take over from his services.
“The way I look at it, if you took Callum McGregor out of the side, whether it was through injury or whatever,” said Keevins.
“It’s almost hard to imagine where Celtic would go. When Callum retires, it’s hard to imagine where Celtic would go for someone of his leadership qualities.
“There is nobody at Celtic Park right now who can emulate Callum McGregor.”
Who will be Celtic’s next captain?
There is no doubt that McGregor is far different from Scott Brown. One is the leader with the ball, whilst the other is a loud character, who doesn’t shy away from letting the opponents know who he is.
It was a pretty straightforward call for McGregor to replace Brown as the skipper in 2021, but there isn’t an obvious candidate right now.
There are some contenders, but you wonder if they will still be in Glasgow in a few years, and will somebody emerge from the darkness to take the burden off McGregor?
Some current contenders to be captain at Celtic:
- Alistair Johnston
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Kieran Tierney
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