Martin O’Neill believes it’s essential that Callum McGregor remains a cornerstone for a new-look Celtic side next season — as he backed the captain to rediscover his peak form after a prolonged rest.
McGregor is fit to face St Mirren in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, although may need to have his minutes on the field managed due to a muscular injury he’s been carrying.
Set to turn 33 in June, the midfielder was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January to play under former Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers at Al Qadsiah.
Despite staying put, the long-term future of the player, who’s contracted until 2028, remains a source of speculation ahead of a major reboot of the squad this summer.
But O’Neill believes whoever oversees the side at that juncture would be foolish to consider moving the former Scotland man on.
‘From my time here, which has not been that long, I would think that the football club, it’s in their interest to keep him,’ he stated.
Martin O’Neill insists it will be in Celtic’s interests to keep Callum McGregor next season
McGregor enjoys training ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren
Auston Trusty will move to the left side of Celtic’s defence due to Liam Scales’ suspension
‘He’s a really good leader. I’ve said this umpteen times but it’s worth repeating again. In the dressing room he’s really good, but on the field he keeps things moving along and is a good leader there too. Players look to him as well, we all do.
‘I don’t know how long he’s got left of a contract, but if I was around, I would be saying to the board you’ve got to be keeping him.’
With 10 titles, six Scottish Cups and eight League Cups, McGregor is one of the most decorated players in the club’s history.
Having drawn a line under his international career two years ago, the midfielder will be able to rest up and watch Scotland playing at the World Cup in the USA. And O’Neill feels the break can be vital as he prepares for what would be his 13th season as a first-team player.
‘I bet you there would have been in the past opportunities for him to have left and earned more money elsewhere,’ the manager added.
‘I’m not saying he’s a pauper. What I’m saying is he could have gone when he was absolutely at his height. That speaks volumes for a lad who’s got lots of loyalty.
‘But it’s not the loyalty — lots of people can have loyalty and not be able to play. He can do that. He’s played a lot of games here this season. I think if he could get a proper rest in the summer, he’d be raring to go again.
‘I would be surprised if any manager stepped in here and did not like his qualities both as a leader and as a player.’
O’Neill is adamant that he’s got no issue with the fact he was denied the chance to take the side for the League Cup final against St Mirren in December.
Under the Northern Irishman, Celtic defeated Rangers in the semi-final only for the board to push ahead with plans to bring in Wilfried Nancy mid-season.
The Frenchman turned out to be a disaster — he lost the final against Saints and was shown the door after just 33 days. But O’Neill, who returned to the club for a second time this season, says he harbours no grudges about that initial decision.
Reminded that he’d said he’d secretly have loved to be in charge for the final, he said: ‘That’s probably true, really, at the time. But I think the club had gone down, a long way down, with Wilfried at the time.
‘So, I kind of understood that. So, it was just a rather selfish thought at the time.
‘I’m looking forward to it, I really am. I thought that the last time I was there would have been the last time. But now I’ve got an opportunity for a semi-final.’
Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand both trained this week but are more likely to be in contention for next week’s league game against Falkirk.
Liam Scales is suspended leaving O’Neill reshuffling his defence.
‘I’ve got two right-footers as well, so (Auston) Trusty will move over to the left-hand side,’ he said. ‘But I’ve got lots of confidence in Benjamin Arthur and Dane Murray.’
