Opinion: Celtic star should be rested for upcoming cup encounter

Celtic‘s Premiership title race with Rangers will not be on the agenda for the next week, as the Hoops face two games in two different cup competitions.

Firstly there is the Scottish Cup last 16 tie with Raith Rovers, then there is the Europa Conference League knockout round first leg match against Bodo/Glimt to navigate.

Both games are important to the Hoops, as Celtic will want to add to the Premier Sports Cup that the team have already won this season. You have to imagine though that the Bhoys probably won’t be playing their strongest side against Championship side Raith in the Scottish Cup tie.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou might well give fringe players the chance to prove themselves, whilst also giving a rest to some first-team players.

One player that should be rested for the game is Hoops skipper Callum McGregor. There is no doubt that the player will want to feature for the Bhoys, but there is a good reason for leaving him out of the squad.

He is still recovering from the cheekbone injury he picked up in the last round of the Scottish Cup against Alloa.

Thankfully for the Hoops, the Celtic skipper’s injury wasn’t as bad as first thought, as he has played the last three games wearing a protective face mask.

However, it would do the player good to be given a break for 90 minutes, to give the injury more time to heal. 

The Hoops have enough players in midfield to cover McGregor’s absence, the likes of Nir Bitton or Ismaila Soro could feature for the Hoops.

With so many big games coming up for the Hoops over the next few weeks, any chance to give your most important players a rest should be taken. It is highly unlikely that there will be many more chances this season.

McGregor will most likely, if he stays fit, start