Celtic will go head to head against German Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig on Thursday night, as they must aim to get their UEFA Europa League campaign back on track.
The Hoops started off their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win against Rosenborg BK, courtesy a late goal from Leigh Griffiths. However, they were beaten 3-1 by RB Salzburg in their second fixture earlier this month. Following the defeat, Brendan Rodgers’ men find themselves in the third spot in the group and are level on points with second-placed Leipzig.
Anything but a win on Thursday would dent Celtic’s hopes of making it through to the next round of the competition. However, they come into the game high on confidence, having registered heavy victories in their previous two Scottish Premiership outings – a 6-0 win over St. Johnstone followed by a 4-2 victory over Hibernian.
Considering the fact that the Bundesliga club haven’t tasted defeat once in their last six matches in all competitions, the Hoops will have their work cut out for them. Things will be further complicated for the Parkhead outfit, with club captain and midfield mainstay Scott Brown doubtful for the game due to an injury he picked up over the weekend.
With Brown’s involvement in doubt, greater responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Scotland international Callum McGregor. A graduate of the Hoops academy, the 25-year-old has come into his own in the past couple of campaigns under the tutelage of Rodgers and has well and truly established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet for Celtic.
Out of his 186 appearances for the Scottish champions, 122 have come since the 2016/17 term when Rodgers took over. In the ongoing campaign, McGregor has already taken the field on 21 occasions across all competitions, scoring four times in the process, along with two assists.
A central midfielder by trade, the Scotland international has proven his worth for the team by playing in a number of positions. In fact, he was utilized as a left-back and a left winger for major parts of the ongoing term. And it is this versatile nature and adaptability that makes him such a valuable asset to Rodgers’ team.
With Brown set to be sidelined for the upcoming game, McGregor is in line to start as the defensive midfielder for the Hoops, having filled in the role during the 6-0 thrashing of St. Johnstone before the international break.
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McGregor has demonstrated his keen eye for detail and tactical astuteness each time he has been asked to take up a new role by the manager. And he will once again have a key role to play at the base of the midfield on Thursday night if Celtic are to stand a chance of coming out on top against RB Leipzig.
