While Celtic are not taking part in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, the tournament features heavyweights like Chelsea, PSG, and Bayern Munich, led by Harry Kane.
But despite the absence of Scottish teams, recent data has shown that Celtic players are outpacing many Club World Cup participants when it comes to minutes on the pitch.
Figures published by PFA Scotland reveal that Callum McGregor and Kasper Schmeichel have racked up more first-team minutes this season than some of the biggest names involved in the competition.
McGregor, a constant presence in Celtic’s midfield, has clocked 5,158 minutes over 56 appearances, averaging just over 92 minutes per game. Schmeichel, now 38, has played an even more staggering 5,790 minutes in 59 matches, with an average of over 98 minutes per appearance.
Although there isn’t any Scottish representation at the Club World Cup, recent data has found that players in the Scottish Premiership have clocked up some of the most minutes worldwide over the past five years.
With more minutes played that some of the biggest names in the… pic.twitter.com/xyU7IVzo8H
— PFA Scotland (@PFAScotland) June 16, 2025
The demanding schedule leaves little room for recovery. McGregor is averaging just 126 minutes between games, while Schmeichel has only 108.2 minutes of rest between outings. Both players have also travelled significant distances, underlining the physical toll of a relentless calendar.
The report pushes for mandatory rules around player welfare, including a four-week off-season break, with at least two weeks of complete disconnection from club duties, and structured rest periods following long-haul travel. It also advocates for a four-week pre-season training window and mandatory rest days each week.
Scottish Premiership players, particularly those at Celtic, continue to shoulder immense responsibility both domestically and in Europe. As the debate around fixture congestion and player burnout intensifies, the cases of McGregor and Schmeichel add weight to calls for a rethink of football’s demanding schedule.
