CALLUM McGREGOR looks to be losing his race to return against Motherwell at Parkhead on Saturday.
The inspirational Celtic onfield leader was forced to sit out the dramatic Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on Sunday after the recurrence of an injury in the 2-1 league win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie four days earlier.
Martin O’Neill replaced the crocked captain against Danny Rohl’s side with Luke McCowan who settled after a nervy start.
However, the £1million buy from Dundee on 2024 summer deadline day, was taken off just before the hour mark as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the action and, of course, played a pivotal role in the spot-kick victory with an expert job from the Hoops’ first penalty.
QUESTION TIME…will Martin O’Neill start against Motherwell with Luke McCowan, in action above with Mo Diomande at Ibrox on Sunday, or give the nod to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, seen celebrating the penalty-kick shoot-out win with team-mates Viljami Sinisalo, Dane Murray and James Forrest?
Now O’Neill has a dilemma whether to start with Chamberlain against Jens Berthel Askou’s Fir Park side or stage an action replay of last weekend and keep the former England star until later in proceedings and go with McCowan at kick-off.
Plus there are calls from some quarters to give the role to Reo Hatate who has the skills to fit into the role McGregor has made his own for successive years.
Asked for a fitness update on his skipper and Kieran Tierney, who also missed the Cup win in Govan, O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, answered: “Certainly, Kieran would have a better chance of playing at this moment, but we will see.
“Callum has been terrific for us and an incredible player and captain for the club.
“He’s done really well, and the sooner we can get him back on the field, the better it will be for us.”
It’s odds-on, though, O’Neill will not rush back his 32-year-old influential middle-of-the-park performer against the Fir Park which will leave him with questions to answer as he ponders his starting line-up.
LOOKING FOR A PERFECT GIFT FOR ST.PATRICK’S DAY? Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy St Patrick’s Day!
