THE EYES
CELTIC v VALENCIA
BRENDAN RODGERS knew Callum McGregor was a player the first time he set eyes on the Celtic playmaker.
But the Parkhead manager reckons it’s the midfielder’s second sight that makes him stand out from the rest.
Rodgers has raved about McGregor since day one and the 25-year-old quickly went from fringe man to one of the first names on the teamsheet.
In simpler times, player positions were known as midfielders, left-backs or strikers, whereas today they go by numbers, with guys who play at four, six, 10 or in some circumstances even an 11-and-a-half.
But for Rodgers, McGregor is never anything less than an eight – out of 10. The boss saw Oli Burke, Scott Sinclair and Scott Brown hog the limelight in Sunday’s 5-0 Scottish Cup scudding of St Johnstone.
Yet it was unsung hero McGregor’s vision that had thrilled his gaffer going into Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Valencia.
Rodgers said: “The simplicity of Callum’s game is all based on his view of the game. The really gifted players have a view on every position on the pitch.
“I can play Callum as a left-back moving inside, I can play him as a No.10 and he gets a goal. midfielder has produced plenty of blistering displays against top European opposition and will be needed to rise to the occasion again. He won’t be the only one though. Celtic have been smashing Scottish sides since their return from the winter break. Whatever is in the water in Dubai it certainly refuelled the Hoops before coming back with a bang. Seven games, seven wins and 21 goals without conceding has given Celtic the edge in the Premiership race and a place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup. But Europe is different. Rodgers knows his men are facing a huge step up in quality this week and it will require his squad to think on their feet.
He said: “You need to do things a fraction quicker. The second half on Sunday was a different test for us.
“Valencia play 4-4-2 and St Johnstone pushed their two strikers up in the second half at the weekend.
“You just need to do things a fraction quicker when you play against top sides like Valencia. It’s about confidence.
“We understand the level of opponent but we are excited for the first leg on Thursday. It’s a great game for us and we will be ready for it.”
Rodgers will be looking for McGregor to provide the legs but his frontmen such as Oli Burke to bring the jetpacks.
He has seen his team struggle at times against the elite but reckons they are more streetwise now to outsmart the top sides in Glasgow.
Rodgers said: “The difference in the players from a tactical perspective from when I came in is night and day and it’s great to see.”