Now that the Scotland international break is all over, the Celtic fans can look forward to the domestic action resuming on Sunday.
A tricky away tie to Livingston awaits and it is unlikely that Celtic captain, Callum McGregor, will feature due to his recent injury.
The influential midfielder has missed both of Scotland’s friendlies against the Netherlands and Nothern Ireland and whilst the team coped well without him, he still remains a major part of Steve Clarke’s plans despite what Tam McManus said about him.
The former Hibs man claimed that McGregor might find it difficult to break back into the Scotland first-team after Clarke’s midfield three of Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay and John McGinn after the trio impressed against the Dutch.
And that is a claim that has been hotly refuted by his fellow pundit, Peter Martin.
Martin: McGregor is the best midfielder in Scotland
The PLZ Soccer host wasn’t having any of McManus’ comments when he said that McGregor is so vital to the way Steve Clarke wants his Scotland team to play.
Martin said [PLZ Soccer], “Well, I’m going to be brutally honest with you, I mean over the last three, four years, Callum McGregor is the best midfielder in Scotland.
“I do not see him not starting the game. I think he is the absolute lynchpin of the way Scotland play under Steve Clark.”
There is absolutely no question that McGregor walks into that Scotland team the minute he is fully fit. Clarke is a huge fan of the Celtic captain and has publicly praised the midfielder for the job he’s done in the past for his country.
For Scotland to get out of their group in the Euros, they will need McGregor in that team as he gives the likes of John McGinn and McTominay the freedom to support the lone striker whenever he is on the pitch.
McGregor has proven time and again that not only is he the driving force behind Celtic, he is on of the main reasons his country are so successful at this moment in time.