Celtic expert drops ‘huge’ Callum McGregor confession – ‘I was wrong’
Celtic need Callum McGregor’s “authority” in the final stretch of their double-chasing campaign.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops and West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie admitted he was wrong to criticise the captain’s displays and was adamant that he is needed to “pull together” the Celtic side.
McGregor, 30, has been a mainstay for the Glasgow giants having started all their league games until he picked up an injury during their 7-1 thrashing of Dundee in February.
He has since returned to fitness but has only made one start in Celtic’s last three games in all competitions – their Scottish Cup semi-final win against Aberdeen on Saturday (20 April).
Callum McGregor’s return is ‘priceless’ for Celtic – McAvennie
McAvennie warned Brendan Rodgers that he should not start the Scotland international unless he is completely fit, but insisted that his leadership will be “huge” for the remainder of the season.
“I’ve had a go at McGregor for not playing well enough, but Celtic have missed his authority on the park,” he told Football Insider.
“I was wrong because there’s been nobody pulling the players together.
“Players like Tomoki Iwata, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley have been wonderful at times, but I don’t see a leader who’s going to pull the team together.
“That’s what we need right now, it will be huge.
“Him coming back and his experience is going to be priceless.
“But he needs to be fit and there’s no point in him playing if he’s not 100 per cent fit.
“It would be a waste of space.
“If Celtic play well, we’ll take care of business – it’s in our court now.”
In other news, Celtic and Southampton race to sign Bayer Leverkusen ace – sources.
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