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Brendan Rodgers names who can step up at Celtic in Callum McGregor absence

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It’s looking increasingly likely Callum McGregor will miss out on the Celtic trip to Tynecastle on Sunday, with Brendan Rodgers talking up other players taking an opportunity to shine.

Officially, McGregor is only a doubt for the game against Hearts, with Rodgers stating in a media conference that he will be assessed this weekend.

However, having been substituted off at half-time on Wednesday and missed training on Friday, it’s unlikely Celtic will be taking any risks with his fitness ahead of a huge Scottish Premiership run-in.

Rodgers understands McGregor will be a miss in that midfield but has called on whoever comes into the team to take their chance, as well as signalled other dressing room leaders can fill in for the captain.

Celtic boss on Callum McGregor issue

He said [Scottish Daily Mail, 02/03 print edition]: “With players like that, the guys who are always available and always playing, it’s such a new experience for them to be injured. It is one of those where all players, especially top players, want to play every game. So, you have to be mindful of it and you have to be aware of the risk.

“We will clearly take that into consideration because we are entering into a really important period. You are always weighing up the risk. You can go into a cup final and, if there is nothing after that for a while, then of course the risk might be great, but you can take that risk. But with still quite a bit of the season to go and important games, we just have to weigh that up. It’s an opportunity for someone else to come in. If it is one where he isn’t available then the opportunity is there for someone else.

“The likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Ali Johnston are now getting back up to speed and feeling fit, while Greg Taylor is a great speaker as well. So, there’s that leadership from within, from guys like big Joe Hart, these guys will step up.

“Someone of Callum’s quality and leadership qualities will always be a miss when he isn’t playing, but that then is the responsibility of everyone to take that on board.”

Carter-Vickers has taken the captain’s armband on occasion when McGregor has been out of the team, so he would be the most likely candidate to lead out the team in Edinburgh.

In terms of playing position, Daniel Kelly or Paulo Bernardo could find themselves coming into the team to complement Tomoki Iwata and Matt O’Riley.

Losing McGregor for any time would of course be a blow, but Rodgers can hopefully show he has the squad strength and a leadership group to cope.

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