Positive Celtic training ground image bodes well for Callum McGregor’s availability

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A positive picture has emerged from Lennoxtown yesterday as Callum McGregor looks ready to feature in the coming games.

There were fears about his arm after it was whacked from close-range by a Nir Bitton clearance at St Johnstone. McGregor needed to take some form of painkiller during the game and managed to see out the contest on Sunday.

Neil Lennon then confirmed that he would need to wear a cast and that he was feeling some discomfort with it yesterday morning (Daily Record).

However, the Daily Record published an image that showed McGregor in nothing more than a small protective cast. It’s clear from the image that whatever injury the midfielder suffered, it was nothing more than one that did minimal damage.

The Record also stated that McGregor joined in with the rest of his team-mates in training, and therefore shouldn’t be a doubt for upcoming games.

Should Celtic leave McGregor out tonight as a precaution?

Celtic travel to Livingston this evening. It’s going to be an extremely physical clash if our last two trips there are anything to go by.

Gary Holt’s Lions have always been a team that use their aggression to unsettle opponents. With Celtic coming to town, you can bet their enthusiasm will only increase for tonight’s contest.

Therefore, it may be wise to leave McGregor out of this one at least. It would give his arm a few more days to heal from any sprain it suffered. With St Mirren at Celtic Park coming up on Saturday – that looks a more ideal contest to put the midfielder back into action.

Then again, Lennon could be without Olivier Ntcham for the game tonight. That would leave us limited when it comes to players who can play in that box-to-box midfield role. Tom Rogic could of course come into the team with Ryan Christie filling the McGregor role. However, whether Lennon will want to field Rogic tonight is doubtful too.

In any case, at least McGregor looks to be in decent nick. Considering the power with which Bitton’s strike whacked him, it could’ve been a lot worse.

The Record’s image, thankfully, makes it look as though there wasn’t much damage done as first feared.

What action would you take with Callum McGregor tonight? Would you give him another few days to recuperate or risk throwing him in at Livingston? Let us know in the discussion forum below.