Callum McGregor

Had a honking game but needs to start on Sunday for me.

 

If hes starting sunday i want to see him further up with mccowan, let bernardo or engles sit.

 

I don't disagree tbh I think he definitely has some qualities to play as a deep lying playmaker as long as we have someone beside him to help him out with the donkey work but he absolutely can't be played as the only holding midfielder moving forward we've seen games play out like yesterday all to often

 

We were blessed before with a player of Scott Brown's exceptional aggression and energy, and McGregor benefitted from that more than anybody in the team.

He can't do it himself anymore, and he needs a water carrier beside him to warrant a continual presence in the team, or alternatively trying moving him forward, either way his influence is on the wane, and there is no way he is going to last as long as Brown did.

 

Had a hand in two of our goals today and generally played well.

 

Thought he was ball watching a few times, and lacking energy at times. Did pick up as the game went on but still not at the level he should be.

 

Still not doing enough for me. Needs dropped for a few games

 

Just doesn't seem to do anything except point and recycle the ball.

 

Do you actually watch games?

 

Have to say I was at the game (I’m sure others who’ve posted were too) but I didn’t see a lot from McGregor either.

Seemed to do a lot of hovering about in front of CBs but struggled to get the ball and hand signalling to others where they need to pass too - most of the time backwards and sideways.

A lot of safe passes but credit for his forward pass that allowed McCowan to slip Maeda in for the first.

He’s not in good form but I’m sure that’ll be temporary. Need him firing on all cylinders for the YB game.

 

What do you think?

 

Thought he was decent enough today but not overly tested

 

Something I have noticed in the last few games he has played, his best moments seem to come when he has no option but to either play or carry the ball forward as he is a very good footballer and can do both well. E.g. the first goal today the ball was bouncing around and he played a great forward ball to McCowan which allowed him to feed Maeda and provide the assist for Kuhn.

At Ibrox his best moment was he was given a hospital pass from someone and turned out it and broke their press only the left back slot.

I think McGregor is a good intelligent footballer but he and Taylor are too often following each other around the park and playing short passes between one another that allows teams to get set. Taylor also point blank refuses to turn on the ball so often adds in an extra pass that isn’t needed.

I noticed Engels was coming a lot deeper today at times to get on the ball which I think is part of the solution to the way Rangers played against us. There is something about his directness that seems to speed us up. However, the longer the game went on McGregor got closer and closer to him and more and more often it was a little easy 5 yard pass being played.

I still think getting someone else with more of a physical profile but still a playmaker type to play alongside McGregor and switching from having a single playmaking 6 with two wide 8’s and an inverted full back to a double 6 who are both press resistant and can receive the ball with a more advanced centre midfielder/ 10 and a traditional wide left back would help shake up what teams expect from us.

 

Think we will need to start managing his game time more from next season onwards.

We have been fortunate to have first Brown and then McGregor. Guys that were talented enough they could have moved down south but opted to stay as club men. That allowed for a focal point in the team and provided stability for a club like us which regularly has to sell on its best players. It provides a foundation for the team and a presence in the dressing room.

We dont appear to have another Brown / McGregor now to provide that same platform once McGregor retires. We can bring in talent but its difficult to build a team around them knowing that after a few seasons they will likely be moved on. Thats a bit of a concern for me.

 

We have two midfielders in our squad with the most potential I have ever seen since McStay and Collins. Bernardo and Engles are a different level from what we’ve had in decades. If we could develop the team to allow McGregor to move up one that would be the optimal situation for us. That midfield is such an exciting prospect.

 

Its hanging on to the players is the issue.

Its hanging on to the players is the issue. Engles and Bernardo have talent but they arent going to have the kind of club loyalty that sees them stay for more than a few seasons I think. Even if they did, our board would be cashing in on them like with MOR.

 

We’ve been blessed in the midfield recently, last season and year beforeMatt O’Riley and Hatate along with McGregor in there had they comparisons.

CL last 16 season under Lenny similarly, Brown, Ledley, Wanyama, Kayal and I think Ki was still there or just left? Mulgrew even stepping into midfield as well. Further back under MON Lenny, Lambert, Petrov with Lubo roaming about either on the wing or attacking midfield was insane as well.

Bernardo and Engels I’m excited about, I don’t think they quite suit playing next to each other though. More directly competing, with Hatate/McCowan competing for the third player in there. They’re similar players.

 

Engels especially will have signed with the promise of developing here, and moving on down south. He wouldn’t swap the Bundesliga for us otherwise. Bernardo though, I could see him if he’s happy here staying around. And with the 30% sell on fee to Benfica, a lot of potential offers aren’t as appealing for us automatically. A third of it isn’t going to be in our bank is it