James McFadden expressed his ‘surprise’ at Callum McGregor starting for Celtic against VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Even though Celtic are 4-1 down from their first-leg playoff tie, Martin O’Neill opted to keep his captain in the XI for the trip to Germany, and ahead of the Rangers tie on Sunday.
This is McGregor’s 45th game of the season, and he started 44 of them, including against non-league side Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup in January, which was mentioned by McFadden.
“Callum McGregor played against Auchinleck in the cup,” stated McFadden. “He doesn’t get a rest.”
Once again, McGregor would go on to play the entire game, as Celtic bowed out of the Europa League, despite winning the second leg 1-0 through a Luke McCowan first-minute opener.
- READ MORE: James McFadden admits it’s ‘quite remarkable’ where Celtic are ahead of ‘must-win’ Rangers trip
Big changes from O’Neill. What is the standout?
Do you agree with Callum McGregor starting?
James McFadden ‘surprised’ Callum McGregor is starting again for Celtic
There was one moment in the second half when McGregor went down, and it looked like he was injured. It was a heart-in-your-mouth moment.
Thankfully, McGregor continued, as McFadden stated that he expected the Hoops midfielder to be kept ‘fresh’ for the Rangers trip, and it would have been the ‘smart’ move.
This just isn’t about the Glasgow derby, but the games in the coming weeks, because this has been a relentless season for McGregor.
“Callum McGregor played against Auchinleck in the cup,” McFadden told BBC Sport. “He doesn’t get a rest. Maybe there was a conversation, and he’s said he’d rather play.
“I am a bit surprised. Keeping him fresh for Sunday would be a smart move, but he’s such an important player for the team.”
Celtic’s fixture list proves there will be no rest for McGregor
Unless O’Neill pulls a rabbit out of the hat and surprises everyone, expect McGregor to start every game for Celtic from now until the next international break, which is in the middle of March.
From Premiership and Scottish Cup action, Celtic fans will be glad that McGregor has retired from Scotland duty, because that’s when he will be able to get his mental and physical rest.
These are Celtic’s upcoming matches from now until the March international break:
- Vs Rangers (A), Premiership, 1 March
- Vs Aberdeen (A), Premiership, 4 March
- Vs Rangers (A), Scottish Cup, 8 March
- Vs Motherwell (H), Premiership, 14 March
- Vs Dundee United (A), Premiership, 22 March
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