Celtic have received a major injury boost as captain Callum McGregor is ready to make his return on the park.
The 29-year-old midfielder has been missing for Ange Postecoglou’s side since early October having sustained a horrific knee injury in the Champions League tie against Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
McGregor was already set to miss the Hoops next game against St Johnstone having been sent off in the previous league match versus Motherwell at Celtic Park for a foul he simply had to make.
He was instrumental to the success experienced during Postecoglou’s maiden season at the club as he drove the team on having overcome the difficulties of the previous season.
During the campaign, he sustained another horror injury but this time it was facial with the Scotland international having to wear a protective mask for the remaining months of the campaign.
The timing of his return to action then was significant as he led the team to victory in a 3-0 derby mauling against rivals Rangers which projected Celtic to the top of the table for the first time that season.
Circumstances around this return are a bit different with McGregor’s absence being felt longer as he missed a total of 11 games before the World Cup break, including the remainder of the Hoops Champions League campaign and the opportunity to lead Celtic out at the Santiago Bernabeu- only done previously by Billy McNeill and Danny McGrain.
McGregor made the long trip to Australia with the first team and was pictured taking part in training as he slowly built up his fitness.
It is being reported that the Celtic skipper is set feature in the friendly against Rennes in Portugal later this month, a week prior to the Scottish champions domestic return at Pittodrie [The Scottish Sun].
This would indicate that he will most likely be available for selection against Aberdeen although with Matt O’Riley having filled the position so well many will hope that McGregor isn’t rushed back too soon.
Celtic will also travel to Easter Road and Ibrox during the first five games back and it would be a huge boost to have their captain feature.
