Celtic captain Callum McGregor set to miss crucial Rangers clash after what expert has seen
Callum McGregor could be absent when Celtic take on Rangers on Sunday (3 September).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie insisted McGregor "needs to be forced to take a break".
The 30-year-old has made 423 appearances for the Celts so far and is a mainstay in the starting lineup with his current contract running until 2028.
McGregor made 42 appearances for the Hoops last term, only missing out on game time due to an injury.
Brendan Rodgers' side is heavily stacked in midfield and yesterday (1 September), confirmed the deadline day arrival of Benfica centre-mid Paulo Bernardo on a season-long loan from Benfica.
McAvennie insisted McGregor is due for some time on the sidelines.
"McGregor has not really been at his best in the last few games and I do not think anyone will disagree with that," he told Football Insider.
"He is the most played player that I have ever seen, he never misses a game. Even with Scotland he goes everywhere and plays every game.
"I think somebody has got to tell him to take a wee break. Knowing Callum he probably never even went on holiday, he was probably training. So I think someone has got to force him to take a break and miss a game."
The Hoops captain has also been capped for Scotland 52 times since his senior debut in 2017.
McGregor has appeared in all four of Scotland's European qualifiers and scored in the game against Georgia to keep his national team top of their group.