Callum McGregor has become an easy target when Celtic fall short, but the reality around the captain tells a very different story. The narrative around his performances has shifted in recent weeks, yet the evidence shows the issue is not decline, but the environment he is being asked to operate in.
Criticism followed Celtic’s defeat at Dundee United, with familiar questions raised about McGregor’s influence in midfield. That reaction ignores the wider context that has been building over time.
The idea that McGregor is fading at Celtic does not stand up when placed against what is happening around him. His role remains central, but the support required to make that role effective is no longer consistently there.
There is a growing pattern in how Celtic’s midfield functions, and it explains far more than any individual performance could. That is where the real issue lies.
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Celtic are leaving Callum McGregor exposed in midfield
McGregor has been described as ‘absolutely superb’ by Frank McAvennie but even that level cannot compensate for what is happening around him.
He is currently getting overrun in midfield, with a clear gap appearing that opponents are able to exploit. That is not a sign of decline, it is a sign of imbalance.
McAvennie summed it up directly when he said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes and joins Brendan in Saudi — and he would go with my blessing. He’s been absolutely superb.
“He’s not getting found out, but he’s just not getting the players around to help him. At 32, you need younger legs and he’d still be the catalyst, but he’s not got them at the moment. Callum is getting overrun in midfield. There’s a big gap.”
The same pattern was visible in the Dundee United defeat, where the focus on McGregor did not reflect what was actually happening across the team.
Celtic’s refusal to fix the problem is the real concern
This is not a new issue, and that is where the real concern sits. Celtic have continued to rely on McGregor without properly addressing the balance around him.
The warning signs have been clear, yet the same pattern has repeated, with the club effectively asking him to carry responsibility that should be shared among his teammates. That is why the view that Celtic refuse to learn their lesson continues to resonate.
At 32, McGregor still operates as the catalyst in midfield, but the demands placed on him have not been adjusted. Without the right profile of players alongside him, that role becomes increasingly difficult to play.
This is the key point that cannot be ignored when assessing his performances. The structure around him has not evolved, and that leaves him exposed regularly.
None of this points to a player in decline. It points to a system that has not evolved to support one of Celtic’s most important figures.
The conclusion is straightforward. Callum McGregor is not the problem Celtic need to solve, but the way he is being used is. Until that changes, the same issues will continue to surface.
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