Pat Bonner lauded Callum McGregor on BBC Sportsound (2/12, 20:28) as Celtic beat Hearts on Thursday night for what the midfielder offers under boss Ange Postecoglou.
The Bhoys ran out 1-0 victors at Parkhead to stay within four-points of Rangers at the top of the Premiership. They have now won their last three league fixtures, and are unbeaten since losing 1-0 at Livingston on September 19.
McGregor has played in all but one of Celtic’s nine-game unbeaten stretch after sitting out September’s draw with Dundee United. The 28-year-old had failed to overcome an injury that kept him from the Livi loss, plus the Hoops’ opening Europa League tie at Real Betis.
Outside of his injury, McGregor has been a mainstay of Postecoglou’s plans as Celtic boss. He has made 25 appearances in all competitions, for a combined 2,205-minutes so far.
The 41-cap Scotland international added his latest 90-minutes on Thursday as the anchor to Postecoglou’s engine room. McGregor left Bonner in awe with how he tackled the role against Hearts, with the ex-Celtic goalkeeper full of praise for the current Bhoys captain.
“Callum McGregor plays this midfield role so well,” Bonner said. “He does it all with pace and intelligence. His forward passing is sensational, too.”
McGregor central to Celtic system vs Hearts
McGregor has been a vital cog in Postecoglou’s system since the Australian took charge at Celtic this summer. So much so, that Josip Juranovic even likened him to Luka Modric.
The Glasgow-native showcased the defensive side of his game more so than the creative against Hearts on Thursday. He was assured in the deepest of Postecoglou’s midfield three and ensured Robbie Neilson’s side struggled to establish their presence.
Yet McGregor still played a lead role in a lot of Celtic’s creative moves, and forced a strong save from Craig Gordon midway through the first-half with the scoreline still level.
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