The Celtic youngster could be set for a bigger role in the first-team next season after impressing Rodgers.
With the dust settling on a sixth straight Scottish Premiership title, sealed in the most fitting fashion with a 5-0 thrashing of Hearts, Brendan Rodgers will already be drawing up plans to make his Celtic side even more irrepressible.
The Northern Irishman has hinted at ins and outs in the summer with The Bhoys hoping to make a better fist of balancing their domestic domination with improved performances on the European front, Sky Sports reports.
Yet, rather than importing quality into Celtic Park, perhaps Rodgers should look to make even better use of the talent already at his disposal.
23-year-old midfielder Callum McGregor may have started just 13 Scottish Premiership games all season but, if his stand-out performance in Sunday’s champagne soaked, five-goal frenzy is anything to go by, he could play a much bigger role in first-team affairs next season.
Rodgers is a confirmed admirer after all, believing that a maiden international cap is just around the corner.
“Callum McGregor (below, left) never gets a mention,” Rodgers said in quotes reported by the Evening Express. “This was a boy who was absolutely brilliant yesterday.
“I have absolutely no doubt that if [Scotland manager] Gordon [Strachan] is looking for someone who is technically gifted, who can keep the ball, who understands football tactically, a player who never wavers in mentality – he is seven or eight out of 10 every game he plays – who has got Champions League experience, then you wouldn’t go too far wrong with Callum in your squad.”
Celtic are hardly lacking in technical midfielders, with the likes of Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic hitting new heights under Rodgers. Yet, few players in the Scottish top flight have developed as much as McGregor this season.
And, with his manager utterly convinced of his potential, the Glasgow-born midfielder could be challenging for a first-term berth more regularly next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
