Dropping Callum McGregor would be ridiculous, but I reckon that a rest would do him and the team the world of good and Kasper Schmeichel really does need to drop to the bench…
Callum McGregor post match media, Celtic v Sporting Braga, 2 October 2025. Photo The Celtic Star
There are not any Celtic players at his moment who can claim that they are worthy of a place in the first team, including our skipper Callum McGregor and our goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. They offer experience and leadership on the park in every match but sometimes leadership from the dugout needs to recognise the need for changes and perhaps for taking senior players out of the team.
Kasper Schmeichel is heading closer to the end game as far as his playing career is concerned as Mother Time is doing him no favours at all and there is an increasingly strong argument that he no longer should be the first pick Celtic goalkeeper.
Callum McGregor arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
And Callum McGregor, like the rest of his teammates hasn’t exactly impressed this season so far, and despite holding the captaincy he too shouldn’t be bulletproof when it comes to facing a spell out of the team.
That said the tactical approach that the manager insists on regardless of match outcomes is clearly taking a heavy toll on his captain who is left isolated in that number six role since the double eight pairing of Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate were deployed further forward.
Benjamin Nygren and Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic after the match Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025. Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock
Benjamin Nygren was a much hyped signing but his form has dipped after a decent start and he increasingly looks like a player who is unsuited to playing for Celtic.
I took some stick for an article last night on Paulo Bernardo, with many saying that he’s not had game-time and I appreciate that totally, The point was that he’s shown himself NOT to be ready yet as he needs more game-time to get up to speed. So for the here and now against Motherwell tomorrow I’d expect to see him on the bench.
I’d actually consider playing Arne Engels as the six tomorrow and playing Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor as the two eights.
Arne Engels with Brendan Rodgers at Firhill. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
However in saying that, dropping our skipper and even stripping him of the captaincy as some have suggested would be a ridiculous decision to make as he still very much contributes to our side in a massive way.
Obviously Brendan Rodgers doesn’t listen to the supporters when it comes to his team selection, but it wouldn’t be the worst idea to give the skipper a rest for a game or two in a bid to not only recharge his batteries, but bring something of a freshness to our midfield. However I can’t see that happening but as something needs to change in the middle if the park the suggestion above may well be on the manager’s mind.
Similar to Kasper Schmeichel needs to be out of the firing line for a game or two, not only for their own good, but that of the team.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor looks frustrated at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
Both our on-field leaders are undoubtedly class acts, but sometimes even the best of players need a little stint on the sidelines. For me tomorrow that certainly means Kasper and possibly Callum too but I don’t think Brendan Rodgers will see it that way.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed book!
Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last,.
Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.
Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books
Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.
Free them pensioners
Calmac needs to be dropped just like any other player who is out of form
He has hardly kicked a ball since the start of the season and being the holding midfielder he has been absolutely terrible. He doesn’t hold the ball as he panics and he has slowed down considerably.
Stick or Twist?
B R will be damned if he does or doesn’t depending on Sun result.
Both players are on the exit route of their fine careers .
Team formation needs a shakeup for the long haul and to win another treble which is available.
Hail Hail.
Bernardo excelled in the Calmac position on at least a couple of occasions last season, and I had thought/hoped he was being groomed to take over, and was going to share the workload going forward. Instead we played Callum in every game, Berrnardo got injured and has never rediscovered that form, but maybe hasn’t been given much chance to do so.
Like most managers, Rogers has his favourites, and again like most managers doesn’t drop players who are clearly out of sorts, hoping they’ll come good, again and again and again, doing the same thing and expecting different results and all that.
I thought Rogers had pulled a master stroke at the beginning of the second half, and discovered previously unseen tactical nous, either that or was playing a team of ringers. We were a totally different team from a first half where we were pretty woeful, tactically and individually, and had instead started to dominate the game, leaving them mostly chasing shadows, but with the ridiculous disallowed goal we reverted too type and the new found dominance evaporated, in a cloud of German revenge for our Palestinian stance.