Scott Allan says only one Celtic player looked ‘fired up’ against Hearts

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Scott Allan worryingly said that only one Celtic player looked ready for the fight against Hearts.

Brendan Rodgers is facing calls to be sacked after the Hoops were beaten 3-1 at Tynecastle as Derek McInnes’ side opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the table.

A number of players disappointed, with the likes of Benjamin Nygren and Dane Murray struggling for Celtic in the capital.

There aren’t many who can hold their heads high, but former Hoops midfielder Allan thinks there was one standout.

Scott Allan praises Callum McGregor for Hearts display

Callum McGregor brought Celtic level against Hearts in the first half after Murray’s early own goal.

The captain finished off some excellent build-up play between Sebastian Tounekti and Kieran Tierney before the latter cut back for McGregor to sweep home.

He was everywhere on the pitch and during the post-match analysis on Sportscene, Allan claimed he was the only one in the Celtic side who deserved praise.

“Callum was a standout performer on the Celtic side today. I felt he was the the real driving force,” said the pundit.

“”He was up for winning second balls, he was clearing things out of the box. He seemed fired up in the first half.

“Me and Neil [McCann] watched the game and we felt that the players around about him were not on the same the same level of aggression and that’s what Celtic really needed.”

Callum McGregor’s stats vs Hearts

McGregor’s performance was streets ahead of any of his teammates, as proved by Sofascore’s stats of the game.

The 32-year-old was the only player on Rodgers’ side who had a rating higher than a seven and was named as the joint-best player on the pitch.

Although he contributed from an attacking sense, it was his defensive display that caught the eye, with the former Scotland international winning the majority of his ground and aerial duels.

While some may think McGregor is approaching the end of his career, the captain has proved there is still plenty of life in the tank.