Featured comment

amirmir

Big mention to Baur. There is a serious player in there. He is exacly what Celtic have been crying out for in mifield!

Join the conversation →

Mika Baur’s performance highlights the need for a different midfield balance at Celtic

We’ve all known for some time that McGregor isn’t as efficient when it comes to the defensive part of his game but this is where Baur excels.

Against Besiktas, Baur was here, there and everywhere. Making more tackles, involved in more duels and doing it over 90 minutes. McGregor also played his part, providing the assist for Callum Osmand’s equaliser.

However, he is 32 and his performances compared to his partner this season have been far worse. Of course, as club captain, it is easier said than done when it comes to taking him out of the side. But Celtic do need to think about it, especially when there are plenty of creative talents in other areas of the pitch.

Youngster Joel van den Berg is waiting in the wings but is only 19 and still clearly needs more time to adapt. Gvidas Gineitis came close to joining in the summer but is considered to be more of a midfield eight and all-rounder as opposed to one set position. Although, that box-to-box role could be more suitable in this current set-up.

McGregor’s time at Celtic isn’t done yet, he’s done enough to warrant choosing that role himself. Baur is the future though, and finding someone to complement him for the next five-to-six years should be one of the main priorities.