Martin O’Neill has offered a cautious update on Callum McGregor after the captain missed the Scottish Cup win over Rangers at Ibrox.
McGregor was ruled out shortly before the quarter-final after struggling with a calf issue that first appeared earlier in the season. His absence forced a reshuffle in midfield as Celtic prepared for a tense afternoon that eventually stretched to penalties.
The match demanded a lot from the players who stepped in. Rangers pushed forward for long spells and forced Celtic deep into their own half. Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate had to spend much of the game helping the defence rather than driving attacks.
Despite the pressure, Celtic found a way through. The match ended goalless after 120 minutes before the shootout decided it. Tomas Cvancara scored the final penalty and sent the travelling support into celebration inside the Broomloan Stand.
After the game, O’Neill spoke about the players who had missed the match. The manager had already sounded hopeful about Kieran Tierney’s recovery and suggested the left-back might have been able to contribute briefly if needed. McGregor’s situation, though, appears less clear for now.
He said: (TCW), “Callum, we would just have to have a look.
“Before the game, when the two of them dropped out, it was a major loss, so for the players to compensate for that, it was brilliant.”
Celtic’s midfield had to adjust without the skipper’s presence. McGregor normally sets the tempo and helps the team move the ball out of tight spaces. Without him, Celtic spent longer defending and had fewer controlled passages through the middle.
Hatate still managed to provide energy in the centre of the pitch. Nygren also covered plenty of ground as Rangers tried to build attacks through wide areas and crosses.
The fixture schedule now offers Celtic a brief pause before the next league game. Motherwell visit next weekend, which gives the medical staff time to monitor McGregor’s calf.
O’Neill’s comments suggest the club will not rush the captain back. Celtic managed to survive a demanding cup tie without him, but his influence in midfield will be needed as the league campaign moves toward the business end.
