Pat Bonner says Celtic star isn’t good enough to replace Callum McGregor amid Jeffrey Schlupp surprise

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Callum McGregor is the heartbeat of Celtic’s team and a key reason why they are pushing for another Treble.

When Scott Brown left Celtic in 2021, a big void was supposed to be left in the middle of the park, in terms of his quality, presence and leadership.

But the reason why the now-Ayr United boss wasn’t missed was because of how McGregor took that role, made it his own and continued to charge Scotland’s most successful club forward.

At the age of 31, with McGregor also retired from Scotland duty, he can prolong his club career, give more to Celtic and continue their dominance.

However, this isn’t going to last forever, and you have to plan ahead, especially with extra Champions League matches taking their toll on the team.

But is there a replacement for McGregor in sight?

• READ MORE: Five things we learned as five-star Celtic hammer St Johnstone to book Scottish Cup final spot

Pat Bonner says Paulo Bernardo isn’t good enough to replace Callum McGregor at Celtic

Paulo Bernardo has been injured for parts of this season, nor has he been a regular starter when available, with McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels the main starters.

But, if push came to shove, Pat Bonner doesn’t think Bernardo is good enough to fill that number-six role.

Although, Bonner did express his surprise at Jeffrey Shlupp not being used in the middle of the park, despite being able to play that role, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.

“I have been surprised he hasn’t put Schlupp in the middle, because he has played there with Leicester, just maybe when Callum was out,” said Bonner.

“But I think there has to come a stage when Callum is getting a little bit older. You have got to have somebody to come in there, whether he brings in somebody to come in as a starter, that’s a difficult part.

“Normally, if you are bringing in better quality, they are going to start from the off, but you aren’t going to leave Callum out.

“That position, I worry a bit. I am not sure about the other players, Bernardo, are they good enough to come in and be Callum McGregor? Probably not. And that would be a weaker point.”

McGregor and Bernardo’s stats for Celtic this season

Celtic might have to dip into the transfer market to bring in competition and a long-term replacement for McGregor.

But there are enough midfielders currently at the club, including Bernardo and Engels, who have the quality on paper to perhaps reach those levels in the years to come.

In terms of Bernardo, this is how he compares this season with his club captain, according to WhoScored.