Nobody is Talking About How Callum McGregor is a Big Part of Celtic Problem

· GiveMeSport

Celtic suffered their third straight Europa League defeat against Celta Vigo on Thursday night

Celtic may be top of the Scottish Premiership table right now, but their decline in European competition is sad to see.

Celtic have already suffered an incredible collapse against LASK that cost them a place in this season's Champions League, but looking at their form in the Europa League so far, that might actually have been a blessing in disguise, financial aspect aside.

The Hoops looked on course for their first positive result in the competition when Mika Baur gave them the lead two minutes into the second half against the La Liga outfit, but a quickfire double from Javi Rodriguez condemned the hosts to their third successive Europa League loss, with two of those fixtures being played at Celtic Park.

The Glasgow giants already look set to be knocked out of the tournament and Martin O'Neill will then need to ensure they win the Scottish Premiership title ahead of Rangers and Hearts.

Celtic appear to have a lot of issues across the pitch despite a busy summer transfer window, which saw 10 players arrive at Parkhead.

However, club-record signing Kasper Hogh has struggled to hit the ground running in a green and white shirt, with all three of his goals coming in the same game, despite making 13 appearances in all competitions.

There are also question marks over some of the attackers and midfielders that have been brought in, while they look particularly vulnerable defensively in Europe.

O'Neill does have some experienced players in his squad to provide guidance to younger players and those who have newly-arrived at Celtic Park, in the likes of Kieran Tierney, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sam Johnstone and captain Callum McGregor .

If we're being honest though, the latter is actually a big part of the problem when it comes to Celtic's failings.

McGregor is a Celtic club legend who is approaching his 600th appearance for the club, but you have to question how much he is actually contributing this season.

It's no surprise that O'Neill is sticking with a player he knows he can trust, but at the same he has a player with huge Premier League and European experience in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sitting on the substitutes' bench.

In the 7-1 thrashing of Hearts, he was the worst-rated Celtic player by quite a way, according to Fotmob, having been taken off on the hour-mark by O'Neill.

McGregor vs Hearts

- Minutes 60 - Touches 35 - Successful passes 32/34 - Defensive contributions 0 - Fouls committed 3 - Duels won 0/4

The 33-year-old is very safe on the ball and often takes zero risks, which doesn't help the speed of their attacking play, and he simply doesn't suit being a deep-lying central midfielder.

McGregor spent the early years of his career getting up and down the pitch and scoring and assisting from midfield, but he doesn't have the legs to do that anymore.

Perhaps he needs a proper No.6 alongside him to help unlock him again, but it's looking more and more apparent that his Celtic career could be winding down, with his contract expiring in just over 18 months' time.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill must surely be under pressure following another disappointing European display.

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