Paul Lambert believes Callum McGregor still has plenty of mileage left in the tank and insists the Celtic captain can continue pulling the strings for a good few years yet.
The former Hoops midfielder, who hung up his own boots at 35 after a decorated career, reckons McGregor’s professionalism and intelligence will help prolong his time at the top.
While the skipper stepped back from international duty following Scotland’s Euro 2024 exit last year, Lambert doesn’t expect him to slow down at club level anytime soon.
He told the Daily Record, “Hopefully injury doesn’t catch him or anything like that. I think he can definitely play another few years at that level.
“It’s like anything – Father Time catches you and decides when you’re finished. It’s getting your head around that when that day eventually comes.
“But regarding playing for another few years, definitely. It’s important.
“I would say to him, play as long as you can at the highest level and then bow out – because you’re a long time out of it.
“I always had it in my head that 35 was enough. I had no regrets.
“I had played at a really high level, won the biggest thing in the game and won a lot of titles at Celtic.
“I was really happy with how my career had gone. I was fortunate to play with some great teams and play in a World Cup.
“Would I want to play beyond Celtic? No. I wanted to finish at the top of it – and I did that.”
Callum McGregor is now 33, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down. Last season was his best goal-scoring season since 19/20, when he scored nine goals in the league. His eight goals last term was his second-best season in terms of scoring.
He played with some freedom going forward, and wasn’t afraid to strike from distance.
When the time does come to replace the skipper, it’s going to be a big role to fill. Not just the position, but the role he plays in the team. He sets the level every week, and leads by example with his performances.
There’s still a few years left in the tank for the player, who will want to lead Celtic to more success.
