Scott Brown has hit back at suggestions Callum McGregor should be dropped, insisting the Celtic captain remains the team’s most important player.
It comes after fresh calls to take McGregor out of the side, with Si Ferry questioning his recent form and influence.
But Brown isn’t having it.
The former skipper, who handed the armband to McGregor when Ange Postecoglou arrived at Celtic, says his successor is still the heartbeat of the team.
And crucially, he’s doing it while playing through injury.
McGregor featured against St Mirren at the weekend, despite carrying a knock, before being substituted, a rare sight for a player who almost never comes off.
Brown says that tells us everything.
He said to RecordSport:
“I’m telling you now, never write Cal off because he’s the main man and he keeps that club ticking. He keeps the team together on the pitch and he’s the driving force off it.
“His mentality is next to none – he wants to play every game whether he’s injured or not. He’ll fight for the cause for the good of the football club rather than worrying about what’s best for himself.”
It’s a strong defence and it highlights the divide in opinion.
With Martin O’Neill facing big calls in midfield, McGregor’s place has suddenly become a talking point.
Arne Engels came on from the bench at the weekend, completing his injury comeback. It’s hard to justify leaving him out of the starting squad, but someone has to drop out.
But if Brown’s view carries weight, and it usually does, dropping the captain isn’t on the agenda.
Not now. Not when it matters most.
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