Brendan Rodgers made five changes to his Celtic lineup for yesterday afternoon’s clash with St. Johnstone, and perhaps the most glaring omission was that of captain Callum McGregor.
The skipper rarely misses out, and the last time he didn’t start for the Hoops was in October at home to Dundee. He’d not played from the beginning in only two matches this campaign before Sunday past.
Admittedly, Celtic didn’t miss McGregor, with Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate, and Arne Engels working well together in the middle of the park.
It was positive for the 31-year-old to get a rest, too, especially with a trip to Ibrox on the horizon.
Pre-match yesterday, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers explained his decision to bench McGregor: “With Callum, he virtually plays in a lot of the games, but every now and then it’s good to take the shine off him a little bit,” he said (BBC Scotland via The Herald).
“Like any other player, he also is human and he needs to get some recovery in the legs, especially with the closeness of all the games.
“I know he’s there if I need him. But he’s like every other player, he needs to recover at times and this is the chance for us to do it.”
A home clash against bottom of the league, there was no better opportunity to rest a player as pivotal as McGregor than yesterday.
He’ll undoubtedly come back in for Thursday’s trip to Ibrox, though, where the Bhoys head to the other side of Glasgow a colossal 14 points ahead of Rangers.
Philippe Clement’s side are in utter crisis at the minute, and a Celtic victory would see the gap at the top of the table extended to 17 points. Then, one would have to argue the league would be over, if it isn’t already.
