Last night’s defeat to RB Leipzig was Ange Postecoglou’s 72nd match as Celtic manager, a reflection of the ridiculous volume of games facing the club in recent seasons given that the Aussie’s tenure remains barely 14 months old.
Of those, his club captain Callum McGregor has played 64, missing only eight games in that time and making the second-most appearances under Postecoglou at Celtic of any outfield player, and third-most overall [according to Transfermarkt].
His injury, sustained in the build-up to Christopher Nkunku’s opener from after a heavy touch from the captain led to an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the Leipzig turnover, was not just a blow to his side’s chances on the night, but could be hugely detrimental to Celtic’s season, should he have to spend any extended time on the side-lines.
Though his red card against Motherwell ensured that he would miss Saturday’s game at McDiarmid Park regardless, Celtic will have to learn to survive without their captain in the short-term, with a long-term plan of reducing his overall minutes to ensure that he can continue to play at the highest level into his thirties.
McGregor regularly stands amongst the outfield players with the most minutes played in world football, with Celtic’s fixture-dense seasons and his importance ensuring that he’s rarely-if-ever left out when available. His new-found partnerships with Billy Gilmour and more recently Scott McTominay in the heart of Steve Clarke’s midfield for the national team have further added to his already-ballooning total minutes.
Doubtlessly, there are extenuating factors for McGregor’s under-rotation, even beyond how essential he is on the pitch. James McCarthy, signed last summer as the first replacement in his position, has underwhelmed, and looks highly unlikely to play any significant part under Postecoglou going forward, whilst Yosuke Ideguchi has endured two freak injuries since joining the club in January.
Oliver Abildgaard is now the obvious choice to replace McGregor on Saturday, and possibly next Tuesday against Leipzig should McGregor’s injury be as serious as feared. However, the Dane has lacked match fitness due to circumstances originating from the Russian invasion of Ukraine whilst at his parent club Rubin Kazan, only making his Celtic debut against Motherwell last weekend, as a result.
Though he fulfils McGregor’s role positionally in the 6 role, Abildgaard lacks McGregor’s natural drive and ball-carrying ability, and is unlikely to be able to replicate the volume of the Scotland international’s quick forward passing in build-up. The on-loan midfielder will be required to adapt to the tempo and style quickly if Celtic are to progress unscathed through any extended period without their captain
Since a system change is almost certainly not forthcoming, it will be up to those positioned around McGregor, particularly in Celtic’s midfield and at full-back when inverting, to compensate without him. His absence will surely be huge, but Celtic have to ensure that it isn’t fatal for their title hopes, Champions League qualification ambitions, or both.
In other news: “We need to show we belong”; Taylor issues Celtic rallying call after Leipzig disappointment
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