Martin O’Neill clarifies McGregor situation after Celtic’s dramatic 6-2 Hampden win over St Mirren
Callum McGregor’s substitution during Celtic’s 6-2 thriller against St Mirren at Hampden raised a few eyebrows, especially as the match started to tilt away from the champions in the second half.
The Celtic captain was withdrawn in the 73rd minute, just as St Mirren were beginning to find more space and momentum in midfield. Up until that point, McGregor had been central to Celtic’s control of the game, keeping possession tidy and helping dictate the tempo during a strong first-half display.
However, after the break, the contest became more stretched. St Mirren increased their intensity, pressing higher and forcing Celtic into rushed passes and loose turnovers. That shift made it harder for Celtic to maintain their usual grip in midfield.
Once McGregor left the pitch, Celtic’s structure in that area looked less secure. The middle of the park opened up, giving St Mirren more opportunities to push forward, deliver crosses, and build sustained pressure. Their late equaliser came as a result of that growing dominance rather than a single defensive mistake.
Before the match, Martin O’Neill had already indicated that McGregor’s playing time would be carefully managed. Speaking after the game, he confirmed the substitution was pre-planned and not linked to any injury or tactical emergency.
According to O’Neill (via Premier Sports):
“Callum will be fine. We only expected him to play around 65 to 70 minutes again. But honestly, he’s absolutely fine.”
His explanation put any concerns to rest, confirming the change was part of a controlled workload strategy rather than a response to how the game was unfolding.
It also sheds light on why Celtic temporarily lost control late on. Without McGregor’s calm influence in deeper midfield areas, the game became quicker and more chaotic, with fewer phases of controlled possession.
That suited St Mirren, who thrived on second balls and wide deliveries rather than being stretched by Celtic’s passing rhythm.
Despite the setback, Celtic still got the job done. Extra time allowed them to reset, and their superior depth eventually told as the match opened up again.
Looking ahead, managing McGregor’s minutes is expected to remain a priority. With several league fixtures still to come and a cup final against Dunfermline on the horizon, keeping him fresh is now clearly part of the long-term plan rather than risking him for unnecessary minutes.