Callum McGregor tipped for new Celtic role – ‘he’s the guy’, says expert
Alan Hutton has backed Callum McGregor to be the go-to penalty taker at Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender said that the Hoops have a lot of options but insisted McGregor would be the best choice.
Manager Ange Postecoglou has not been one to shy away from discussing his disappointment with the Celts’ lack of penalties since his arrival.
As quoted by the Scotsman (22 October), the Aussie said that the only penalties his side have taken have been in training.
But even when his players have been awarded spot kicks, they haven’t always been able to capitalise on the opportunity.
As relayed by FotMob (8 December), the Green and Whites’ penalty conversion rate this season is just over 71 per cent.
That number puts them fifth in the Scottish Premiership behind Hearts, Aberdeen, Ross County and rivals Rangers whose conversion is 90 per cent.
Postecoglou’s side have not had a clear penalty taker either, with the burden falling mostly to right-back Josip Juranovic or Giorgos Giakoumakis.
When asked who should be taking spot kicks for Celtic, Hutton told Football Insider:
“It is a difficult one because it normally comes down to what kind of personality they are.
“You look at the likes of Giakoumakis, Kyogo Furuhashi, [Matt] O’Riley. McGregor would be your guy if he is fit.
“So he [Postecoglou] has got a lot of quality, a lot of talent within there that you would put anything on them scoring. I think it just comes down to who can handle the pressure the most.
“Me, personally, it would be Callum McGregor when fit. He is the go-to guy for me. He is very reliable and he has hit penalties before.“
In other news, McManus has issued ‘big’ Josip Juranovic verdict after Celtic source’s transfer update.