Brendan Rodgers tips Celtic star to become manager one day | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers has said that he can see Celtic captain Callum McGregor becoming a manager one day. The Irishman was asked if there were any players in the current group that he could foresee going into coaching after discussing Scott Brown’s progression in coaching.

Speaking at his media conference, the Celtic boss said that he believes McGregor could a coach and manager if he wants to.

“I look at the likes of Callum. He can be a manager if he wants to be later on.

“It’s the big what if. I think playing and coaching and management are three totally different things. When you’re coaching, you’re giving opinions and you’re working with the players.

Callum McGregor instructs team-mate Matt O Riley during the UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park, Wednesday October 25, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

“When you’re managing, you’re making decisions. It’s a totally different set up. I’ve got some fantastic players here that in their own right may want to go down that route.

“But it’s not always the ones that clearly stand out that become the manager.

“I’m sure there’s plenty of players that will tell you that they would have thought someone was going to be a manager and they’ve gone on and done ever so well.

“I would look at Callum as a start point and think that when the time comes for him if he wants to go down that route then he certainly shows a lot of the facets that you would need to manage and coach.”

Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor walk up The Celtic Way with the SPFL Scottish League Trophy before the cinch Premiership match between Celtic FC and Kilmarnock FC at Celtic Park on August 4, 2024. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

CalMac inherited the captaincy from Brown after the veteran skipper moved to Aberdeen. McGregor really stepped up and led by example for Celtic under Ange Postecoglou, going from strength to strength in that role. It was never in doubt that he was a quality player but there were some lingering concerns about whether he could step into the shoes of midfield enforcer Brown. However, the cultured midfielder has made the role his own.

McGregor turned 31 over the summer and decided to call time on his International career after the Euros. The decision was made on the basis that the player wanted to give himself regular breaks, ensuring that he can play at the highest level for Celtic.

McGregor has made 472 appearances for Celtic, scoring 67 goals and assisting on 77 occasions. The classy midfielder will be fully focused on playing for the foreseeable before one day deciding on where his future lies.