Eyebrows were raised when Callum McGregor was named in the starting XI against Auchinleck Talbot.
Martin O’Neill opted to keep the midfielder in his team after revealing that the captain had requested to play.
The 32-year-old played 87 minutes in the narrow 2-0 win, and barely had a chance to catch his breath before the full-time whistle.
With a Europa League game against Bologna on Thursday before a top-of-the-table clash against Hearts to come it was perhaps surprising to see for some fans.
Sadly, it perfectly encapsulates why there are so many issues.
Are Celtic too reliant on Callum McGregor? Let us know…
Celtic can’t afford to rest Callum McGregor
After watching the likes of Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan struggle to leave their mark against a non-league side, is it any wonder why Celtic had no choice but to play McGregor?
Right now, this Celtic side is devoid of true leadership unless the 32-year-old plays and needs him there to show some signs of competency.
McGregor is only human though and needs to have some rest, like any other player.
He is by no means the best player physically or technically, but the Hoops look more unorganised, less fluent and out of ideas when he doesn’t play, which is why we keep wheeling him out.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
Years of complacency and the ‘worry about it later’ mentality have caught up with Celtic.
For years, all we have known is McGregor being the heartbeat of the midfield, but even that has to come to an end at some point.
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Key targets have been missed out on, including options that would have been perfect to develop alongside the captain before eventually taking over his role.
This lack of preparation has been waiting to bite Celtic, and they are finally feeling the effects of it all.
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