Andy Halliday claims it’s ‘madness’ what’s happening with Callum McGregor at Celtic

Callum McGregor is set to play a crucial role for Celtic FC as they navigate a demanding run of fixtures in the weeks ahead.

However, Andy Halliday has voiced concerns about the sheer volume of matches the Celtic captain is being asked to play, particularly with another series of high-stakes games looming.

The Motherwell FC midfielder pointed to Celtic’s decision to start McGregor against Auchinleck in the Scottish Cup back in January as “madness,” suggesting the midfielder is in need of both a mental and physical reset.

Celtic are preparing to host VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League on Thursday evening for the first leg of their play-off tie. Given McGregor’s importance to the team, it would be no surprise to see him once again named in the starting XI for such a significant European encounter.

Halliday questions McGregor’s workload

Speaking on Open Goal, the panel analysed Celtic’s recent performances, particularly their apparent struggle to control matches. Their latest dramatic late victory, this time away to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, sparked debate about the team’s overall structure and rhythm.

Ordinarily, McGregor is the player dictating proceedings from midfield, setting the tempo and ensuring Celtic maintain control. Yet Paul Slane suggested that any dip in McGregor’s influence might reflect broader issues within the team rather than the captain alone.

The discussion then shifted toward McGregor’s minutes on the pitch, with Halliday emphasising that the midfielder’s heavy workload could be contributing to his recent performances. In his view, McGregor is playing far too often and could benefit from time out of the starting lineup.

Si Ferry remarked that he had never seen McGregor appear so ineffective in matches, recalling a first half in which he struggled to remember the captain making a forward pass. Slane countered by questioning whether that was more a symptom of Celtic’s overall lack of control as a team.

Ferry responded by highlighting the importance of structure, rotation, and movement within a side, suggesting that Celtic currently lack the fluidity that once defined them.

Halliday then reinforced his point, noting that McGregor has arguably been the best player in Scotland for the past seven or eight years. Despite that status, he believes the constant reliance on him is excessive.

He referenced the decision to play McGregor in the Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck — a non-league opponent — as particularly baffling. In Halliday’s eyes, that choice epitomised the overuse of a key player who rarely gets a break.

According to Halliday, there are times when even the most important individuals need to be taken out of the firing line. He stressed the value of both mental and physical recovery, especially ahead of what promises to be an intense and decisive period in the season. While he acknowledged that McGregor would still feature in Celtic’s strongest starting lineup, he argued that selective rotation would be beneficial.

A look at McGregor’s season workload

The core of the issue is not just that McGregor starts almost every match — it’s that he is rarely substituted. Opportunities for rest during games have been minimal, leaving little room for recovery.

The fact that the former Scotland international featured against lower-tier opposition in the Scottish Cup only amplified concerns about squad management and rotation.

So far this season, McGregor’s numbers underline Halliday’s argument:

• Games played: 42
• Starts: 41
• Appearances off the bench: 1
• Matches with 90+ minutes: 38
• Times substituted: 3

Those figures illustrate just how heavily Celtic rely on their captain. With such limited rotation and minimal early substitutions, McGregor has shouldered a significant burden across domestic and European competitions.

As Celtic head into a crucial phase that includes European ties and key league encounters, the debate over McGregor’s workload is unlikely to fade. While his importance to the side is unquestioned, the question remains whether reducing his minutes now could ultimately benefit both the player and the team in the long run.