Pundit and former Celtic man Davie Provan has recently talked about Callum McGregor, examining one reason for his dip in form.
McGregor has been called up to Scotland’s Euro 2020 squad, along with other Celtic teammates Greg Taylor, Ryan Christie, Jack Hendry and James Forrest.
Provan talked about McGregor’s situation when he appeared on the latest episode of the Go Radio Football Show. He believes that the midfielder needs rest and that he has played too much football over the last few seasons.
Do you think McGregor needs a rest?
Yes
No
McGregor has made 49 appearances in all competitions for Celtic in the 2020/21 campaign, captaining the club on many occasions. Ex-Celtic man Charlie Mulgrew has even tipped him to replace Scott Brown as captain permanently.
Provan talked about the midfielder and said: “The one thing I would say about Callum McGregor – Callum McGregor needs a rest from football. He’s played far too many games over the last 3-4 seasons. I don’t know how he’s managed it, to be honest with you.
“Maybe that’s why his form has dipped this season for Celtic. Because it’s been non-stop. Between Scotland and Champions League qualifiers and Europa League ties, he’s played a colossal amount of games. The boy really needs a rest.”
TIF Thoughts on McGregor…
This season, McGregor is in the top 20 for players with the highest number of minutes played in European football, as he has played 4,901 minutes for the Hoops.
In the 2019/20 campaign, only Harry Maguire, Rui Patricio and Victor Nelsson played more minutes in Europe than the Scotsman. He was at the top of that list in the 2018/19 campaign.
This clearly shows that McGregor has certainly played a huge amount of football over the last three seasons and at some point, it might become a problem for him. Since he’s been called up for the Euros, he’ll play even more and it’ll put even more physical load on him.
We’ll have to wait and see in the coming weeks and months whether his form continues to dip and whether Provan is proven right.
In other news: ‘Howe working behind the scenes’, ‘Yes please’ – Many Celtic fans buzz as transfer news emerges