Broony will soon be back in the team... he’s still the biggest influence at Celtic

McGregor insists skipper remains vital to squad

SCOTT BROWN might have been reduced to a bit-part player in recent weeks but the man who grabbed his spot is adamant the skipper’s still the biggest influence in Celtic’s dressing room.

Callum McGregor has played an astonishing 38 games already this season but in the past month has excelled in the midfield anchor role.

His form, along with Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie, has made it all but impossible for boss Brendan Rodgers to accommodate his captain in the engine room.

And as the Hoops smashed Kilmarnock 5-1 on Saturday, Brown had to make do with another late cameo off the bench.

But McGregor, who has grown into a must-start player for club and country, has no doubt that Brown – closing in on his 500th appearance for Celtic – will return to the starting line-up sooner rather than later but it will make no difference in terms of the leadership the veteran continues to show around the camp.

He said: “I’m sure Broony will get back in the team. He’s been a massive player for Celtic for years.

“It will change eventually. You can’t keep winning 5-0 or 6-0 every week, and then people look for reasons.

“The team will change but we are a group and a collective. That has been our strength for the last two and a half years. Everybody is having an impact and that is what we are about – the collective.

“Everybody knows how good a player Broony is. The team has been playing well and it’s always a tough one for the manager to pick the side.

“There is competition for places and I always feel that when you get the nod, you need to do well.

“The team has been going great and it’s tough for the manager to decide who plays – and in what position.

“But we are a collective, all the boys want the group to do well. Of

course it’s strange when he’s not in the team.

“He’s been in the Celtic team for the last 10 years. Every time he’s been fit, he’s played. Broony is a massive character for this club and it’s important that we always remember that even when he isn’t playing.

“In the dressing-room he’s still there geeing everyone up. He’s a massive character and he’s someone we can’t do without.

“Whether that is playing or not playing, he’s still beneficial for the team. He’s still there helping the lads even when he isn’t playing.”

“Broony is still at the forefront. He’s been club captain for years and that shows how big a character he is.”

But McGregor took his time to be