The ongoing talk remains about just how Celtic will go about replacing Arne Engels, the young Belgian leaving a sizeable void following his £22m move to West Ham United.
And yet, what hope do supporters have when the Bhoys arguably still haven’t even signed a genuine replacement for or successor to Callum McGregor, the 33-year-old still relied upon week-in, week-out at Parkhead.
He’s a legendary figure in Glasgow, the standard-bearer for so many years now, not least as skipper, yet surely it’s time to start thinking about the succession plan.
On the evidence of the early weeks of the season, the midfield remains a real issue in the short term for Martin O’Neill‘s side. Will it be solved later down the line?
Why Celtic are leaving McGregor exposed again at Parkhead
The Scottish champions dragged themselves over the line last season, yet the issues were clear to see even while ending the campaign with a domestic double, not least in central midfield.
Amid Engels’ injury absence between February and April, O’Neill failed to settle on a consistent partner for McGregor, with Reo Hatate fading from view in the run-in.
The Japanese playmaker has since flown the nest, replaced by Mika Baur, yet the German’s arrival hasn’t aided matters either, the midfield still looking so unbalanced in recent weeks – as it did away in Linz.
With Benjamin Nygren in that advanced midfield role, the lack of legs and athleticism truly is stark, with McGregor and co simply overrun against both Ferencváros and Rangers.
Operating in that deep-lying number six role, the captain has been left so exposed time and again, the midfield ranks left wide open with Baur often seeking to press high up the pitch.
New man Joel van den Berg has yet to be seen in action to rub salt in the wounds, while Oliver Sorensen was left out of the matchday squad altogether last time out, a fact that, as Football FanCast exclusively reported, was said to be a bone of contention between O’Neill and the board.
McGregor remains a valuable asset, but he can no longer do it alone, with his fading mobility seen in the fact that he’s already been dribbled past 1.2 times per game in the Premiership this season. Last term, for instance, that average was way down at 0.5 per outing.
|
McGregor – 26/27 Premiership |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat (*per game) |
Record |
|
Games (starts) |
6 (6) |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Big chances missed |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
|
Key passes* |
0.5 |
|
Pass accuracy* |
91% |
|
Ball lost* |
9.0 |
|
Tackles & interceptions* |
4.2 |
|
Total duels won* |
4.3 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.5 |
|
Dribbled past* |
1.2 |
Therein lies both Celtic’s collective woes and the veteran’s individual decline, with the Glasgow side still needing to find the next McGregor in the making.
Why Celtic might have the perfect McGregor replacement out on loan
The new Premiership season is still in its infancy, although there will also be concern regarding McGregor’s lack of attacking threat, yet to register a single goal or assist in six top-flight starts.
This was a man who, even in his deep-lying role, scored eight and assisted three back in 2024/25, further showcasing why he might well be something of a fading force.
Heavily linked with an exit over the summer, having changed agents, McGregor’s current deal expires in 2028, with there likely to be another conversation about his future next year if his current woes continue.
Looking ahead to 2027, therefore, that might be the perfect time to finally bring young Kyle Ure into the fold on a permanent basis, the academy graduate yet to actually make a senior appearance at Celtic Park.
A young, homegrown midfielder, and a left-footed one at that, Ure certainly looks like McGregor mark two in Glasgow, having followed a similar path to his compatriot of late.
In McGregor’s case, he didn’t actually make his Premiership debut until the age of 21, notably spending the 2013/14 campaign out on loan at Notts County in England’s third tier.
That stint in League One proved particularly fruitful for the young playmaker, as he scored 14 times in 41 games in all competitions, part of an exciting young squad that also included a certain Jack Grealish.
He subsequently debuted at the start of the following campaign and the rest, as they say, is history, with there hope that Ure’s own trajectory will follow a similar route over the coming year.
Indeed, the 20-year-old has been sent out on loan to the EFL himself this season, joining Crewe Alexandra in England’s fourth tier.
He’s made six appearances for the club so far, with there plenty of time for him to replicate what he’s showcased back at youth level, having scored seven times in 77 games for Celtic’s ‘B’ team.
Previously on loan at Ayr United too, the Scotland U21 international was lauded by Hoops hero Scott Brown at the time, described as a “top talent” by the former Celtic skipper.
“He’s a great lad who has a real understanding of the game for one so young. His drive and willingness to learn really sets him apart and he’s got a bright future. He’s a top talent.”
Ure, it must be noted, is in the final year of his contract back in Glasgow, but another fruitful loan spell, after time in the Scottish Championship, would certainly warrant another extension.
Having found it so difficult to replace McGregor amid a string of underwhelming midfield signings, perhaps the academy ranks will provide the solution once more.
