FRANK McAVENNIE admits he can envisage Callum McGregor quitting Celtic in the summer.
And the former Hoops goal hero reckons the influential onfield leader could be lured to the Middle East for a reunion with Brendan Rodgers.
McGregor, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday in June, is one of the most decorated players in club history with 24 honours including 10 titles, has struggled in the general decline of the champions this season.
The skipper, who is under contract until June 2028, has manfully strived to keep the team on track and there is still a chance of a remarkable league and Cup double in a turbulent campaign.
MAKING A POINT…Callum McGregor in discussions with former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic have lost eight times in the Premiership – more than double the total for the past two years – but are still only three points adrift of leaders Hearts with five matches still to play.
They meet their Premier Sports League Cup Final conquerors St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
So, it’s still all to play for as McGregor and his team-mates plan for revenge on the Paisley club at Hampden.
Scotland’s soccer showpiece is scheduled for Saturday May 23 at the national stadium – and McAvennie reckons that could be the captain’s last hurrah.
The one-time Scotland international striker said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes and joins Brendan in Saudi. And he would go with my blessing, he’s been absolutely superb.
“He’s not getting found out, but he’s just not getting the players around to help him. At 32, you need younger legs and he’d still be the catalyst – but he’s not got them at the moment.”
There is no doubt the Hoops will have a clear-out in during the pre-season with the squad in obvious need of a revamp.
EAR WE GO…Benjamin Nygren celebrates his free-kick strike in the 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle in January.
Japanese double-act Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have failed to sparkle on a consistent basis while the club’s top scorer Benjamin Nygren, with 19 goals in his debut term, is apparently attracting interest elsewhere.
McAvennie, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “If Callum goes and Maeda and Hatate, those are big gaps to fill. I saw reports saying Brighton wanted Nygren for £30million – well, I’ll drive him!
“But that’s the kind of money, if you were to get that for Nygren, then brilliant.
“I don’t know where Celtic would be without his goals. But if you’re getting that kind of money for him, then take it. As long as it gets put back into the team.
“But we’ve got a lot of money on players and never put it back recently, that’s the biggest problem.
“I like Hatate. I think he’s one of the best midfielders up here. But he’s not doing it and I don’t know how he can switch off like that.”
Looking at the Celts who still have a major part to play at Parkhead, McAvennie added: “Kieran Tierney’s going to be there, that’s for sure.
BEST FOOT FORWARD…Arne Engels tussles with John Souttar in Celtic’s 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final victory at Hampden in November.
“Viljami Sinisalo, I like him and he’s done nothing wrong. I like Alistair Johnston and Yang’s improved. I don’t know if he’s the player of the year, but he’s the most improved player this year.
“Jota’s going to be there and you miss his flair, control of the ball, control of the game.
“Even Arne Engels who has become a better player for not playing. All of a sudden, people are saying: ‘Engels is a player’. But when he comes back in, he showed at the weekend he’s got that bit of class, he’s got that quality Celtic need.
“So, I’m hoping Martin O’Neill is going to start Engels because he has got that quality in there. Maybe that’s what we need – a wee bit of flair and quality.”
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