IF as expected Scott Brown is not fit enough to play this afternoon/early evening at Hampden then Callum McGregor will lead Celtic out to face Hibs in the League Cup semi-final.
“I would have no qualms handing Callum the armband against Hibs,” Neil Lennon confirmed yesterday afternoon at the Celtic Media Conference, as reported by Scottish Sun.
“I see him as a natural successor to Broony in that regard, when the time comes. We have two or three captains in that dressing room.
“Christopher Jullien could do it, Kris Ajer takes responsibility, James Forrest is a bit quieter and I don’t think he’d fancy it!
“But there’s a few who wouldn’t shy away from taking the armband — and Callum is one. His performance levels over the years have been so consistent, and he’s playing as well as ever at the minute.
“Callum’s consistency is not something I take for granted. People just expect him to be a seven or eight out of 10 every week. That’s not an easy thing to do and I admire him for it.
“I admire his professionalism because he’s playing at a really high level while there has been interest in him.
“When you are playing well you want to keep the momentum going, but I spoke to him before the St Mirren game, asking him if he wanted a break. But he said ‘No, I want to keep going’. That was the answer I expected because when you are playing well you want to stay in the groove.”
We reported last week that Celtic, having signed up both Jamesy Forrest and Scott Bain on new long term contracts, the focus would move to concluding new deals for Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor and the Celtic manager yesterday confirmed that these plans were well underway.
“We’re talking to one or two players, so hopefully we can get those contracts over the line soon.
“Callum is one of them, he’s an important player and it would be good to get him tied down too. It’s important to have your core, and the core players here have been outstanding for the last three seasons.
“Jamesy has been a fundamental part of that, as has Scott Bain, and it gives you a feel-good factor when you have boys committing themselves to the club on long-term contracts.
“Ajer is also one we might look at. He’s played nearly all the games since I’ve been in, and I’m very happy with him as well.
“These players are obviously assets too, and there will be admirers out there, no question, with the way they are playing. So, it’s a bit of protection for us as well as settling down the players if they are getting agitated by a little bit of speculation.”
Celtic are aiming to secure a 30th consecutive win in domestic cups this afternoon, an astonishing record when you think about it and one that has never been done before in Scottish football. Lenny recognises that the vast majority of these wins came under Brendan Rodgers but he did come in to win the Scottish Cup last season.
“I’ve done alright, but it’s just a small part of an amazing record really. The more you win, the more hungry you get for it, and the more you want to protect it.
“It’s an amazing record Brendan Rodgers built the foundations for, and thankfully I’m picking it up as we go along.
“You never know if anyone will do this again, but you might not see it for a very long time.
“The players know how important this game is. It’s part of the Trebles they have won over the last three seasons, and it’s a competition they have been brilliant in.”
So what about the team for this afternoon?
Craig Gordon has had the gloves for the League Cup ties this season and we’d expect that to continue this afternoon/ early evening. The kick-off is at the bizarre time of 5.30pm.
Expect Jeremie Frimpong to play at right back and Boli Bolingoli on the left, with Jullien and Ajer as usual in central defence.
In midfield Callum McGregor will captain the side if Broony rests up for Rome, and that will give either Olivier Ntcham or Nir Bitton an opportunity. The moody Frenchman is likely to start.
The front four pick themselves. James Forrest – who now has his song – “THIS IS HOW IT FEELS TO BE CELTIC, CHAMPIONS AGAIN AS YOU KNOW, BRENDAN RODGERS JAMESY FORREST HERE FOR TEN IN A ROW, TEN IN A ROW…” – will play on the right, Ryan Christie behind Odsonne Edouard and Mohamed Elyounoussi on the left.
The Norwegian international will be well aware of what the Celtic manager has said about him to the media this week. The message has been that he’s down well, Lenny’s delighted with him but that the on loan Southampton star has NOT done enough yet to merit a move to Celtic.
If that’s what you want Mo then Lenny wants more. Today’s the day to show him what you’ve got to offer.
The Celtic support will take up the vast majority of the seats at Hampden today and will the 5.30pm kick-off will be in good voice to help drive the side on to victory. Hibs got lucky in the game at Easter Road recently in the 1-1 draw, which of course included a few Honest Mistakes, something we’ve seen plenty of times at Hampden. Get the job done early Celtic and give the officials no chance to influence the outcome.
COYBIG
