Callum McGregor

He does this quite a lot in games where he takes up positions right behind or near opposing players. It’s not just throw ins but on open play when the CB have the ball he doesn’t bust a gut to make space into him for a pass, he points it out wide.

It makes us very predictable ball to CB ball to full back ball to winger rinse and repeat. We need more movement from the midfield to get away from their markers and get progressive passes through the middle. He along with others are guilty of allowing this side to side predictable play.

 

His lack of pace is now very showing, they were quicker and more energetic in midfield doing well to swarm the midfield when needed. He can no longer break a press by bursting forward and beating a player or 2 like he did under Ange.

We need a new sitting mid badly for Europe, Kasper is a better leader for the team since McGregors leadership was always based on his performances rather than taking charge.

 

Honestly in the nicest possible way, phase him out in big games.

Great servant, stepped into Captain’s role with grace, outstanding footballer.

But age catches up with everyone.

He is far too slight and slow to play as a 6 in Europe.

His passing range is diabolical. He’s offering nothing to the team in these games - zero.

Sign someone or play Engels/Bernardo. Both of them offer more in the 6.

 

Still has plenty to offer but this standing behind players is unacceptable. He'll bounce back like always but he's prone to this type of performance. He's had a good start to the season so should be given the chance to rectify it, but another shitebad game like that and I'll not be as forgiving.

 

Why do we act like he's 36 every time he has a bad game?

 

Doing my head in with this constant pointing. Yea, do it if you see an opening but not constantly. On Friday night last, he passes the ball sideways to KT, before the ball even reaches KT, he is pointing to Scales, trying to get him to pass it backwards to Scales. KT plays a long ball instead towards back post, Forrest almost gets a touch but it goes out for a corner. And this gig of running at our CB, demanding the ball, only to first time it straight back to the CB. Almost every pass he plays is a short pass sideways or backwards. He is just not suited to that DM role. But BR has backed himself into a corner with Cal, too much reliance on him to get our game going.

 

Hes a good player but his effectiveness against the better sides is on the wane. He can dictate the spl games from the role hes asked but he can look ordinary against better teams.

Our midfield trio dont offer enough options on the ball for me and off the ball they offer almost nothing. It feels a bit under utilised despite it being where we have the most depth. I think thats the system though.

Hatate kind of went off script during the last 10 or 15m of the game yesterday and began popping up out wide and getting into the box and i thought we looked more dangerous for it.

 

Hes silky as * when he grabs the ball and runs forward. Czn go by 2/3/4 players almost like they can't get close to the ball. Needs to start doing it more and get away from this "I'm quality on the ball but scales is better" thinking. Keep the * thing, bring the players towards you, dish it to the wing.

 

Just checked on my old posts, and yep got slated two years ago for suggesting its exactly what he does in european games. Hides, points, and passes backwards to the CBs. Yes of course he also takes the ball and drives forward.........at times. But in the main, he is the one player that dictates the speed of the games, and its generally too slow. Allows the opposition to get behind the ball, and reorganise. I thought in pre season, Nygren looked as though he has more drive going forward. Whats happened to that? Been coached out of him!!

 

He should have ran that game Tues night. I love Cal but that was one of his biggest shitebag performances ever.
Think he had two moments of where he skipped past a couple and created an attack and one good interception with his head but bar that it was a dreadful performance.
We really need him to step it up next week as he's vital for how we operate. He simply cannot hide and just point.

 

His last European goal was Midtjylland 4 years ago. He scored 8 from outside the box last season, why can't he ever replicate that in Europe?

 

Probably because his bad games are becoming more frequent and more noticeable.

Earlier in his career he didn’t avoid the ball like he does at the moment. During the week it looked like he didn’t want it. No effort to make space, hiding behind their players at throw ins. It wasn’t good.

There’s a place for him, but he should be phased out over time. We seem to have think he’s undroppable and will run him into the ground instead of having him mentor a younger player to fill his shoes. We did the same thing with Scott Brown.

 

Was there any point in him coming on today?

 

This is a beautiful comment man.

 

Yes, usually when he misses out a game taking no part, next game has a worse effect on him. Keeping him ticking over, but not needing to burst his * I’m happy about.

Two games then he has a break during the International games.

He doesn’t need it just now, like he’s playing through knocks or something. Kept him ticking over bringing him on and kept him fresher for midweek. Got some game time in Bernardo which we desperately needed.

A large amount of the support are screaming about resting more. And like @Zander pointed out, he’s no 36.

He has retired from Scotland so resting more than ever. And dropping him, doesn’t help him over the next game or two. Over the season, rests this stage would help for when they get a real heavy schedule yes. But in terms of Tuesdays game? It helps bringing him on.