Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish believes that Callum McGregor’s injury is ‘devastating’ for Celtic.
The Hoops’ skipper was forced off in Celtic’s loss to RB Leipzig in Germany at the start of the month.
It has since been revealed that McGregor will be out of action until after the World Cup but that he doesn’t require surgery on his knee which was originally feared.
Ange Postecolgou’s men are currently two points ahead of cross-city rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table but McLeish feels that the Bhoys’ hopes of pulling away from the Gers will have to wait following McGregor’s setback.
He told Football Insider:
“We all know how much you miss your best players when they are injured, it goes without saying.
“To lose your captain and a guy who has started pretty much every game this season, of course it is going to be a blow.
“Celtic still have a fair few games before the break for the World Cup and they will be wanting to pull away from Rangers who we know have injury problems of their own.
“McGregor is a key player, he keeps Celtic ticking and he is huge for them in terms of him just being on the pitch.
“It’s a devastating loss for them. You worry about whether the guy who comes in can replace was McGregor gives them.”
TIF Thoughts on McLeish’s comments…
Is McGregor a Celtic legend?
Yes!
No!
With McGregor out Ange elected to start Aaron Mooy in the 6-1 mauling of Hibernian at the weekend.
The Australian’s performance was described as ‘composed’ by GlasgowLive and more Scott Brown opposed to that of the current Celtic captain.
Presenter John McGinley described it as Mooy’s best showing yet in a Hoops’ jersey but it remains to be seen whether or not he can regularly put in such displays for the Glasgow side.
If he can then it may well debunk McLeish’s theory.
Spl games we can manage but Europe need some one with pace to cover defence might have to play a different style not much but I still think we will beat shakter hope madrid rest players but beat shakter it will put us into Europe Cup you could say two best teams went through but we were not disgraced and are not faraway we were definitely nit out our debt we are suffering from other teams in Scotland showing in Europe to focus on them old firm is fone we gave different sponsors since the liquidation of rfc now rifc or sevco 2012 it only suits one team who are trying to fool people into they are unbroken Celtic_fc_1888 only signed old firm name logo so it can’t be abused for other people to make money but we Celtic_fc_1888 supporters or officials call it the glasgow Derby and fromn2012 always will