BREN: WE HAVE GEM IN CALLUM
CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers last night insisted Old Firm goal hero Callum McGregor is a “priceless” asset to the champions.
The 23-year-old strolled through the Hampden showdown with Rangers and was composure personified as he slotted home the opener in the 2-0 Scottish Cup semi-final victory.
Rodgers – who last month backed the midfielder for a Scotland call-up – is delighted McGregor’s finally receiving the recognition he insists his play has long merited.
And the Parkhead boss says you can’t put a price on the young Scot’s importance to the treble-chasing Hoops.
Rodgers said: “Callum is a really gifted footballer and I’m pleased people are starting to recognise his qualities.
“Other players get the headlines. But this is a young man who is brilliant technically, never gives the ball away, has a goal in him and is very good tactically.
“He has played about six different positions for me this season so he is an absolutely priceless player to the squad. I thought his goal was brilliant.
“In a big pressure game like that when it comes to a young player in the box they can just smash it. But he didn’t.”
Rodgers revealed he targeted Rangers’ rookie full-back Myles Beerman at Hampden by placing Patrick Roberts in direct opposition to him after watching the Englishman run riot in an Under-20 clash with Malta.
Rodgers said: “Patrick is a big-game player. He has an incredible belief in his ability.
“I’ve flitted between Patrick and James Forrest but on Sunday I just felt they had a young guy at full-back who was 18.
“Pat played for England when the young lad played for Malta and had a real good day against him. I just thought sticking him in might give the young lad a problem in such a big game.”