The performance level of Celtic’s captain this season has increasingly become a broadly debated topic. His suitability as a defensive midfielder has long been debated, and card on the table, I have defended his suitability in the role due to the specific demands of the position playing at Celtic. Doing so has become difficult this season. Many of our collective bias is routinely confirmed via his seemingly relentless pointing and absence of taking risks in possession of the ball.
What had been a material positive with Callum McGregor’s performance profile has deteriorated this season. His ability to control tempo in buildup and drive ball progression from the defensive third through the middle third and into the attacking third was important and valuable.
I can only speculate as to why he has become so risk averse this season, but with a temporary departure during the 33 days of Wilfried Nancy’s tenure, it has changed materially.
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