Celtic need Callum McGregor in the team but not as a number six

It’s quite clear that you can’t take Callum McGregor out of this Celtic side, but it’s obvious he’s not a ‘number six’…

No player is safe from criticism in this current Celtic squad, and that includes skipper Callum McGregor who is feeling the pressure due to his status as the skipper and a midfielder, an area of the side that’s widely perceived as our Achilles heel.

Calmac’s days as a six are numbered

In my last article I wrote about how Liam Scales is under fire from the Irish media for his forward play while playing out of position as a wing-back for Ireland in their 1-0 defeat in Kosovo on Thursday. It’s a similar problem for Calmac at Celtic where he has essentially been playing out of position since Scott Brown hug up his boots.

Callum McGregor has been played out of position by a series of Celtic managers

Successive managers have utilised Callum in that role, but it’s plainly obvious that his talent is suited to a more offensive position, a role he performed for many years, and looked more comfortable as his performances suggested.

Callum was thrust into a the ‘holding role’ under Brendan Rodgers, and he excelled, but that was due to having the more ‘battle hardened’ Scott Brown beside him, and together they formed a solid and reliable partnership in the middle of the park.

When Broony retired, Callum naturally took the captaincy, and stepped up under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou, but as the years ticked by, it’s become more obvious that Callum is far from being the holding midfielder Celtic need, and our midfield has suffered as a result.

Opposition managers building game plan around Celtic’s midfield weakness

Opposition managers are now building their game plan around our midfield weakness, with a simple instruction of ‘stop McGregor from playing’ the clear and simple formula that’s required in getting what’s considered a decent result against the champions.

I’m not advocating dropping the man who has led us to multiple honours as Celtic captain, as his absence from the side would make the team all that more weaker, and I defy anyone who would suggest otherwise.

After all the aim is to make us stronger in the middle of the park, not weaker, and Callum is one of the best players not just at Celtic, but in the entire country.

Callum McGregor should be used as an eight

But his talents would be better utilised in a more attacking role, not as a ‘combative midfielder’ which he clearly isn’t suited to. Find a number six within the squad until January and then sign the player Martin O’Neill spent the summer waiting for only to be let down by the Celtic board.

Play Callum as an eight, where he can still contribute and drive the team on to a successful season.