Alan Stubbs has defended Celtic captain Callum McGregor amid growing criticism, insisting the midfielder is not the main problem facing the club. The former defender believes manager Martin O'Neill will remain loyal to his trusted lieutenant as the Scottish champions look to recover from a difficult start to the season.
McGregor, who has spent 13 years at Parkhead, has been accused of declining standards at the age of 33. But Stubbs, speaking to Record Sport, argued that the skipper's experience and attitude make him one of the lesser concerns for O'Neill right now.
Stubbs backs McGregor and O'Neill
“Martin will show loyalty to him. There's no doubt that Callum McGregor has been the mainstay in this Celtic team for the last number of years and at times has dragged his team through - not far off sometimes single-handedly,” Stubbs said. He acknowledged that McGregor's form has dipped but stressed that the midfielder knows his performances must improve.
“There'll be no one hurting more than him right now and he'll do what he needs to do because he's so experienced,” Stubbs added. However, he warned that McGregor will need support from those around him, as the player of five years ago may no longer be able to drag the team through on his own.
Celtic's rocky start and recruitment concerns
Celtic have suffered back-to-back derby defeats, a Europa League hammering at home to Ferencvaros, and a Champions League capitulation at LASK, piling pressure on O'Neill. Stubbs, who played under the Northern Irishman at Parkhead, backed his former boss to turn things around but criticised the club's summer recruitment.
“Apart from Camilo Duran, there's nobody who's really set the world alight,” Stubbs said. He suggested O'Neill would have wanted more signings but deals were not completed, and urged against knee-jerk reactions.
Siege mentality needed
Stubbs expects Celtic to respond with a defiant performance when they return to action at Fir Park on Sunday. He called for a siege mentality and warned against making excuses, saying the players need to show they are all in it together.
“Anything other than that will just keep everything simmering. They need to nip it in the bud,” he concluded.
