The Callum McGregor decision that could manifest itself in earnest for Celtic

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor is enjoying a prolonged rest after playing in every single one of the Bhoys’ latest block of matches before the international break.

While his teammates who weren’t called up to feature for their respective countries headed to Ireland last week, he wasn’t one of the travelling band in Celtic’s victory over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Instead, Callum McGregor has been afforded his second spate of time off this campaign. Given the energy he has given to club and country over the years, it is the least he deserves in the cold light of day.

Steve Clarke’s Scotland are staring down the barrel at an unwanted run of one win in 15 matches; there is reason to suspect the former Kilmarnock manager would love to call on his expertise in the engine room.

However, McGregor’s international retirement looks to be already serving its purpose. That said, it could be about to take on an even more significant meaning in the weeks to follow.

Callum McGregor to lead the charge in heavy Celtic fixture run

Anticipation is building ahead of a busy fixture schedule for Celtic, which will see the squad stretched both in Scottish Premiership and Champions League action.

Starting with the Bhoys’ top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeen this weekend, there is also the small matter of heading to Atalanta next week in matchday three of the newly-structured league phase of Europe’s premier competition.

Evaluating some high-octane fixtures that Brendan Rodgers’ men will need to navigate and clashes against Aberdeen, Atalanta, and RB Leipzig in quick succession will require plenty of mental fortitude.

Realistically, all three meetings could go a long way to shaping the Hoops’ early season prospects. Despite Celtic being on a ten-match domestic winning run, there is no room for complacency when building the foundations for success.

The club captain is all too familiar with this prophecy. McGregor has won 22 trophies at Celtic Park, making him the fourth-most decorated player in the club’s history.

With driving the team forward his speciality, his freshness is bound to be crucial in a period where the Bhoys need to put their best foot forward cross-competition.

Callum McGregor will want to continue his start to the season

It isn’t uncharacteristic for McGregor to get himself on the scoresheet. Still, his tally of four strikes and a solitary assist in his opening seven Scottish Premiership appearances tells you a lot about how he is making the most of a reduced workload. The captain looks like a man full of energy in midfield.

Speaking after his choice to step down from Scotland duty, Celtic boss Rodgers admitted McGregor’s international retirement would do him the ‘world of good’ as he looks to prolong his influence at club level.

He stated: “From a Celtic perspective, for longevity, for him, his career, his recovery. There’s so many games now, it’s a 12-month season. For him to get these little periods of recovery will be important for him. Those little windows where you can give him that breather will do him the world of good.”

There was a feeling international retirement came at the right time for McGregor, but his choice will really be put to the test amid the Bhoys’ exciting schedule until the next break. You get the impression he is set have a telling say on the pitch.