Celtic captain Callum McGregor recently shared the challenges he faced due to injuries last season, acknowledging the significant risk he took during his recovery process. Last season, Celtic had to work hard to secure the title, especially with Rangers posing a tough competition until the final weeks of the campaign. Despite the possibility of missing crucial matches, McGregor’s determination and resilience allowed him to return earlier than expected and guide his team to a domestic double. McGregor, ahead of the upcoming Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock, opened up about his fitness struggles, emphasizing the risks he took to accelerate his recovery process. His decision to return early paid off, setting a remarkable example of dedication and leadership for his teammates. Following a disappointing performance at the Euros with Scotland, McGregor is now gearing up for another demanding season with his club.This issue of game management has persisted within the club for quite some time now. Our heavy reliance on key players, particularly when the drop in quality between first and second choice players is significant, remains a concern. While we do have Iwata and Lawal as potential backups for CalMac, the question arises whether we would be comfortable with either of them starting in his place. Iwata may be suitable for closing out games, but would he be the right choice if we needed a winning goal in a close match? Lawal is still acclimating to our squad and has a long way to go before being a viable alternative to CalMac in the starting lineup.
The significance of our squad depth cannot be overstated, particularly as we have yet to field our strongest eleven in any of our recent Champions League matches.
In my opinion, the eight Champions League matches we will face next season are of greater importance than the Glasgow Derby encounters. Therefore, it is essential to implement rotation strategies to maximize our chances in these critical fixtures, while also ensuring that our key players remain sufficiently rested for the more intense and demanding matches. Additionally, we must consider the recovery time required for our players.
The effective utilization of the entire squad has become a standard practice in contemporary football, and it is imperative that we establish a comprehensive squad capable of meeting the club’s expectations. Historically, this has not been adequately addressed. Nonetheless, I remain hopeful that we will achieve this before the transfer window closes.
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