Brendan Rodgers has highlight the ‘Callum McGregor Moment’ as he reflected on Celtic’s 3-0 win over Hearts.
The hoops skipper has been nursed back towards match fitness over the last month following an achilles injury that robbed Celtic of their most influential force.
McGregor was clearly short of full strength in his recent appearances, he was substituted after 62 minutes away to Dundee a week earlier but around that time the midfielder sent more than a message to 60,000 fans inside Celtic Park.
Chasing Kenneth Vargas back from the edge of the Hearts penalty box McGregor waited for the ideal moment to put in his tackle, following up by whipping the ball away from Cammy Devlin to prevent a break from the Edinburgh side.
The roar was incredible, something that Rodgers picked up on in an interview with Celtic TV:
Callum’s importance cannot be underestimated, the experience he brings, the quality view of the game and how inspirational a leader he is.
It was really just about building him up and I felt then, at that moment when he made that run to challenge, not once but twice to win the ball, you actually see what that gives the supporters, that’s why that intensity of pressing, sometimes gets a bigger cheer than a pass or a goal, even.
But he, in that moment, it was fantastic, for him and the team. But also for me looking at him, that’s really back to the level he’s shown.
Reo Hatate was substituted in the 71st minute of the win over Hearts with his captain bowing out in the 88th minute after Matt O‘Riley had scored Celtic’s third goal.
With another week of training behind him McGregor should be even sharper and fitter for Saturday’s critical Glasgow Derby.
Possibly a dig at an ex rangers (as they were known then) player that is allegedly suggesting on national radio that Sevco players go out to maim Cal-Mac…
Nobody should ‘encourage’ players to go out there to maim players but if that’s the Sevco mantra then if they dish it out they need to be man enough to take it back –
So then – “There’s only one Neilly Simpson… One Neilly Simpson – There’s only one Neilly Simpson” !
Digest that then ex ‘rangers’ as they were known then thug promoting player !
While I don’t think our team would have the slightest difficulty matching them in a physical battle of a match, I’d rather see a blitzkrieg – double-tap them with two quick goals in the first ten minutes (a tap-in from two yards out by Kyogo and a long-range effort from Hatate), then after half an hour of them charging around like heidless chickens, one just before half time and another one just after it…. a bit like the 1969 Cup Final. I’d also like one of them to be an OG or similar calamity from Tav-pen or Barisic, but then I’m maybe asking for a cherry on top with that!
Play and pass theRangers off the park and attack at every opportunity ! Score early and the cauldron that Celtic Park will be , shall be unbearable for the tribute act . Pummel them from every conceivable angle with total concentration as a pre requisite and we all will see how much a bang average ,overrated side they really are under Mr Clem – on ? Peter Frampton singing ” Do You Feel Like We Do ” will be the order of the day
See Saturday is to be 22 degrees, a hot day , as we’re fitter and well capable of fast paced attacking football I think that’s how the start should be , tire them out chasing shadows , quick passing and shots rather than holding the press forward, they can’t string more than a few passes without losing possession.
Callum leads by example.
There is no doubt that a fully fit and healthy CalMac is a huge boost to the team and its performance.
His work rate is phenomenal and his attitude is superb…Now throw in his footballing abilities…and Sevco…be afraid…be very afraid.
‘Mon the Hoops.