Former Celtic goalkeeper and BBC pundit Pat Bonner has explained his Callum McGregor worry after Sunday’s 5-0 win over St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
With McGregor having played 48 games so far this season, his most since the 2021/22 season, Bonner believes this is a real issue for Celtic, especially with the Hoops skipper now 31. He worries that the heavy workload could take a toll on McGregor’s fitness.
Bonner highlighted the drop-off in Celtic’s performances when McGregor has missed games this season, pointing to the crucial role he plays in the team’s midfield and overall play.
He said: (BBC Radio Scotland), “But I think there has to come a stage when Callum is getting a little bit older. You have got to have somebody to come in there, whether he brings in somebody to come in as a starter, that’s a difficult part.
“Normally, if you are bringing in better quality, they are going to start from the off, but you aren’t going to leave Callum out.
“That position, I worry a bit. I am not sure about the other players, Bernardo, are they good enough to come in and be Callum McGregor? Probably not. And that would be a weaker point.”
Celtic lack a backup holding midfielder. Paulo Bernardo can do the job there, as he did at Fir Park earlier in the season.
If Brendan Rodgers were to rest McGregor, it leaves the Irishman needing to sign an appropriate backup. It begs the question of why Tomoki Iwata was sold in the summer; however, he is gone and thriving in England under Chris Davies.
Managing the holding midfield role is an area where Celtic need to sign a quality player to challenge McGregor and those around him, like Engles and Bernardo.
