The fitness of Celtic captain Callum McGregor is an ongoing talking point for supporters ahead of the most critical run of matches this season.
McGregor is back playing after calf and Achilles problems kept him out of action for several weeks but, in truth, he hasn’t reached the levels we know he is capable of.
He was substituted off on the hour mark away to Dundee last weekend after a difficult afternoon, leading some to wonder whether it’s time for Tomoki Iwata to come back into the starting eleven.
Thankfully, Rodgers has noticed some positive progress in McGregor at Lennoxtown training in the build-up to Saturday’s match against Hearts.
He reckons the midfielder is looking much sharper, providing hope for concerned fans that we might start to see better form from the captain.
Brendan Rodgers on Callum McGregor
The Celtic boss said in a media conference on Friday [Celtic FC]: “I think it’s just a case of trying to get him as near a level to where he can be at. Clearly, we’ve been managing him.
“I saw a difference in him this week, I have to be honest. He’d been doing a lot of work over the last couple of weeks on the strength of his Achilles, which actually left him a little bit leggy – I would say – in the games.
“We’ve cut a lot of that out this week. He’s had to strengthen his Achilles with the issues that he’s had.
“He looks a lot lighter on his feet and a lot fresher. He’s not quite there to where he was earlier on in the season but he certainly looks in a much better place. It’s just been that management.”
McGregor set to retain place in team
The manager’s comments certainly bode well and it seems that McGregor is in line to keep his place in the Celtic starting eleven, despite recent issues.
A fit and firing McGregor can be a massive asset in these final four league matches and the Scottish Cup final. Rodgers will be keen to have him closer to a peak for the visit of Rangers next weekend, for example.
Like the in-form James Forrest, the Celtic captain knows exactly what’s required to get over the line in matches when the heat is really on.
Hopefully, the differences witnessed in training are there for all of us to see against Hearts on Saturday.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
