{"id":258226,"date":"2026-08-17T06:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T06:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/17\/the-signing-celtic-could-make-to-finally-replace-callum-mcgregor\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T06:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T06:15:13","slug":"the-signing-celtic-could-make-to-finally-replace-callum-mcgregor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/17\/the-signing-celtic-could-make-to-finally-replace-callum-mcgregor\/","title":{"rendered":"The signing Celtic could make to finally replace Callum McGregor"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Celtic<\/a>‘s strong start to the 2026\/27 campaign continued on Saturday evening with a thumping 4-0 victory away at Dundee United in the League Cup.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Hoops have won all three of their competitive matches, scoring ten goals, so far this season under Martin O’Neill<\/a>, as they look to put last season’s struggles behind them.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

There is always room for improvement, though, and there will still be work done between now and the end of the summer transfer window to improve the strength of the squad.<\/p>\n

One area of the pitch that could be strengthened again before the deadline is the midfield, with a long-term successor to Callum McGregor a potential option.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Celtic need a replacement for Callum McGregor<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

The Hoops skipper turns 34 at the end of this season and there is only so long that he will be able to be relied upon to start virtually every game in all competitions, after he started again against Dundee United.<\/p>\n

McGregor started 36 times in the Scottish Premiership<\/a>, ten times in the Europa League, four times in the SFA Cup, and four times in the League Cup in the 2025\/26 campaign.<\/p>\n

He racked up over 5,000 minutes played in all competitions, more than any other player in the squad, and the Hoops need to start thinking about what life will look like after the left-footed star starts to slow down.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

26\/27 Premiership<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Callum McGregor<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Appearances<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

94%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Tackles per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Interceptions per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ground duel success rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

83%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aerial duel success rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

33%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

McGregor has had a strong start to the current Premiership campaign, completing 94% of his attempted passes, but that is why it is now the perfect time to replace him.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Celtic-Kilmarnock-Callum-McGregor\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Instead of waiting for the midfielder to regress before signing a long-term successor, Celtic should sign his replacement in the current window and ease the transition over the coming months and seasons.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Celtic could replace Callum McGregor<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Whilst Mika Baur has been brought in from Paderborn to provide an attacking threat from the middle of the park, the club are now looking at a player who could operate in the number six position.<\/p>\n