John Kennedy has admitted that Callum McGregor has played a ridiculous number of matches.
The inclusion of the midfielder in every match has almost been taken for granted with McGregor happy to play every match going without complaints about overkill or burnout.
Last season he played more minutes than any other top flight footballer with the 26-year-old of course to make his 50th appearance of this season at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Kennedy watched McGregor’s unorthodox development from youth side to first team via a season at Notts County and believes that sitting out yesterday’s 3-0 win over Clyde will do no harm whatsoever.
Discussing the players left out yesterday Neil Lennon’s assistant told The Sun:
They are totally fine. Odsonne has been in great form and played every game since we came back. Callum plays a ridiculous number of games each season. It was an excellent opportunity with the likes of Ryan Christie coming in so we wanted to rest them up.
Is it a show of strength in the squad? Yes. We made eight changes at home to Partick Thistle and won 5-0 and then half a dozen here today and put on a convincing performance. You need to utilise the squad. There are plenty of players who train hard every day and have been waiting for an opportunity.
It was important to make some changes as we have a very busy schedule and a European game next midweek.
McGregor will be reunited with Brown in central midfield on Wednesday as Celtic enjoy a rare home outing against Hearts.
Last season the Academy graduate missed four matches after picking up a calf injury in the Europa League tie away to Valencia.