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Pat Bonner tips Callum McGregor to start for Celtic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen during a training session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on April 27, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Ian MacNico...
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Pat Bonner reckons Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers won’t start Scott Brown.

Scott Brown of Celtic is seen during the Scott Brown testimonial match between Celtic and Republic of Ireland XI at Celtic Park on May 20, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Pat Bonner has told BBC Sport that he believes Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will play Callum McGregor ahead of Scott Brown tonight.

Brown is expected to return to the squad for the first time in five weeks as Celtic visit Rosenborg in a big Europa League clash.

The Hoops captain, a £4.4 million signing in 2007 [The Guardian], has been out injured since October and McGregor has excelled in that deep midfield role in recent weeks, winning plenty of praise.

It’s a big decision by Rodgers, but former Celtic goalkeeper Bonner reckons that the Northern Irishman will stick with McGregor and keep the 33-year-old star for Sunday’s League Cup final with Aberdeen at Hampden Park.

He told BBC Sport: “That’s the big question for Brendan Rodgers. Who does he pick now, Scott Brown is fit again. Will he go on the bench or go into the team?

“These are the big decision he has to make. I actually think Callum McGregor will play. He’ll keep Scott Brown and may introduce him for the cup final.”

If Celtic better Leipzig’s result away to Group B leaders Salzburg then Rodgers’s side will move second in the table, ahead of hosting the Austrians at Parkhead next month.

Callum McGregor of Celtic scores the opening goal during the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Motherwell at Hampden Park on May 19, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Progress into the knockout phase of the competition looks rather slim, but victory tonight might be a big step toward the last 32, with Leipzig expected to drop points.

This is the type of game where Rodgers may need the tenacity of Brown in midfield, rather than McGregor’s elegance, but time will tell who the former Liverpool boss picks.

Scott Brown and Scott Bain of Celtic react during the Rangers v Celtic Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium on March 11, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.