CALLUM McGREGOR is copping some heavy criticism from anxious Celtic fans as the side struggle to get into their stride.
But Chris Sutton insists the team’s onfield leader is standing up to be counted while others are hiding.
The former Hoops goal hero has singled out Reo Hatate who “looks miles off it” as he racks up disappointing performances in what has been a testing campaign so far.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have already been dismissed from the Champions League, lost at Parkhead in the Europa League and dropped two points behind Hearts in the Premiership after just seven games.
EYES ON THE BALL…Celtic captain Callum McGregor maintains concentration in the goalless draw at Ibrox in August.
The team have been forced to rely on stoppage-time winners against Kilmarnock and Motherwell and a strike three minutes from time by Luke McCowan against St Mirren to get the league season off to a victorious start.
There have also been two goalless stalemates against Russell Martin’s struggling side at Ibrox and at home to Hibs.
Looking at the reaction to McGregor from the terracing, Sutton said: “I think the criticism is way off the mark.
“I think it’s grossly unfair. As far as I am concerned, McGregor is struggling a wee bit because of what’s going on around him. He’s simply on a different level to any other player in the current Celtic team.
“It’s always the same when players get to a certain age. If you misplace a pass in your 20s, it’s just a poor ball.
“Do it in your 30s and you are over the hill.
“I don’t think McGregor will ever lose that ability in terms of his awareness and that first quick pass.
“There are players in the team currently who are hiding – and that kills the flow.”
A BIG HAND…Kasper Schmeichel and Callum McGregor acknowledge the Celtic support following the dismal 0-0 stalemate in the first Glasgow derby of the campaign.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I look at the likes of Reo Hatate. He’s been a shadow of the player we’ve seen at Celtic in recent years.
“Everyone goes through peaks and troughs and Hatate has always been one who could throw in the occasional poor game.
“But right now he just looks miles off it.
“We’re not seeing the runs into the box down the left channel, the moments of magic have been few and far between.
“On the other side, Benjamin Nygren had made a decent start at Celtic in terms of goals and assists. He looks a solid signing, especially for the money he cost. But he is still a little slow on the ball for me.
“He doesn’t have the speed of thought McGregor possesses. I don’t want to go down the road of making comparisons with Matt O’Riley, mainly because there is no comparison right now.”
AIR WE GO…Reo Hatate attempts a flying header under pressure from Connor Barron.
Sutton added: “You also have to take into account the opposition. They know if they snuff out McGregor then Celtic are average.
“The truth is they’re average with him in the team at the moment because they’re finding a way of not giving him that freedom. And there are not enough people around him to pick up the slack.
“That’s nothing to do with McGregor’s age.
“In years to come, he will slip out of the team because physically he won’t be at the level which he once was, as that is what happens. But, for me, he’s virtually irreplaceable.
“He is absolutely not the problem. It’s basically everybody else around him who is the problem.
“It’s already clear this is not going to be an easy ride this season. You look back to 12 months ago and they were hammering teams.
“This time around, it looks like it’s going to be a battle every single week.
“And you certainly wouldn’t want to be going into the fight without Callum McGregor.”
