Unfortunate Turn of Events as Celtic Captain Callum McGregor ..
In a blow to Celtic FC’s title aspirations, captain Callum McGregor has been ruled out with a recurring calf injury, forcing him to miss the crucial Old Firm derby against Rangers. The 32-year-old midfielder, a linchpin in Brendan Rodgers’ midfield engine room, was substituted during recent wins over St Mirren and Hibernian, but the issue escalated, benching him for the 3-2 home defeat that snapped Celtic’s five-year unbeaten streak against their fiercest rivals.
McGregor’s absence was starkly felt at Celtic Park. Without his trademark composure and leadership, the Hoops struggled to stem Rangers’ early onslaught, conceding twice in the opening 45 minutes. “Callum’s the heartbeat of this team,” Rodgers lamented post-match. “His control and vision are irreplaceable.” The skipper, who has netted eight goals in 27 appearances this season—his best league tally since 2019/20—has been the architect of Celtic’s domestic dominance, captaining them to multiple trebles.
The silver lining? McGregor is “desperate” to return and is on track for selection against Hearts on March 29, per club insiders. Teammates Liam Scales and Auston Trusty, also nursing calf woes, are progressing alongside long-term absentees James Forrest and Paulo Bernardo. As Celtic chase a coveted Treble, Rodgers will welcome back his talisman to steady the ship. Fans, though gutted, remain optimistic: McGregor’s resilience has defined Celtic’s golden era. “He’s our warrior,” one supporter tweeted. Get well soon, Calmac—Parkhead needs you.
