Barry Ferguson has told the Daily Record that no-one likes to see injuries like the one Celtic captain Callum McGregor suffered in his collision with Alloa Athletic midfielder Adam King.
McGregor was one of a handful of casualties in the Bhoys’ 2-1 win away to Ferguson’s side on Saturday. The Hoops skipper sustained a facial injury after he collided with King at the Indodrill Stadium. Yosuke Ideguchi also developed ankle damage in the Scottish Cup affair.
Celtic are still waiting for their medical team to determine how long, if it all, McGregor may now miss. But the Daily Record report the Premiership giants are hopeful his issue is not as bad as first feared. McGregor also believes his issue is not as serious as it initially appeared.
Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou feared McGregor may miss two-months due to the injury sustained against Ferguson’s third-tier part-time Alloa Athletic. The 28-year-old suffered a concussion from the blow with King, so is very unlikely to now face Hearts on Wednesday.
Even if McGregor’s injury is not as bad as feared, the Celtic captain may also miss the Old Firm derby. Postecoglou’s side host Rangers on February 2, after Dundee United visit the Hoops on January 29. So, all in all, may still face at least three games on the sidelines yet.
Alloa boss Ferguson reacts to injury blow for Celtic skipper McGregor
McGregor has been a mainstay of the Celtic side under Postecoglou so far this season. He has only missed five of their 38 games in all competitions since the Australian took over at Parkhead last June. He has also opened all but one of his 33 outings for 2,815-minutes.
Alloa boss Ferguson admits he fears for McGregor’s availability as the Celtic skipper’s injury seemed serious on Saturday. But he is also confident King did not mean to cause any harm.
“The injury to Callum McGregor, no-one likes to see something like that happen,” Ferguson said. “But Kingy hasn’t gone in to hurt Callum. I don’t think anyone could argue otherwise.
“It was just an unfortunate coming together, these things happen in football. Unfortunately it looked like a serious injury, but there was absolutely no intent or malice on Kingy’s part.
“The boy doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. It was just a case of freak bad luck that Callum turned into his shoulder. To suggest anything else is ridiculous.”
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