Chris Sutton has heaped praise on Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor, suggesting that the Hoops should “build their team around him”.
The 25-year-old has been in fine form this season, picking up the club’s Player of the Year award, as well as a nomination for the Scottish PFA Player of the Year.
And Sutton has claimed that both are entirely justified.
Writing in a column for the Daily Record, he said: “McGregor has been the pick of the bunch, the one who really makes this team tick.
“He’s an outstanding footballer, an incisive passer and Celtic should build their team around him.
“I don’t feel it’s any coincidence Celtic played their most impressive stuff when he was running the show in the absence of Scott Brown. The tempo was quicker, the play slicker.”
OPINION
It’s no real surprise that Sutton is heaping praise on McGregor. The midfielder has been a standout performer for the Hoops this season, and he fully deserves all the praise he gets. Having him in the middle of the park elevates the whole team, and as Sutton rightly points out, gives the Bhoys a renewed sense of purpose and vigour. For a long time now there have questions asked as to where the club would turn when Scott Brown eventually hangs up his boots, but now it would seem that they firmly have their answer. McGregor may be a different sort of player, but he’s one who brings an element of class and quality to proceedings that Brown may sometimes lack. Sutton is absolutely on the money when he says that the Hoops should build a side around McGregor, and they must ensure that they do everything they can to keep hold of him for as long as they possibly can.