Richard Foster has branded Callum McGregor as the 'best midfielder in Scotland' after the Celtic captain marked his return to action with a late winner against Aberdeen on Saturday.
Having injured himself in the 3-1 loss against RB Leipzig at the start of October, McGregor made his first appearance in Celtic colours in over 10 weeks by starting in the crunch Scottish Premiership clash at Pittodrie. A typically energetic performance which saw him lead by example, the Hoops skipper would have been extremely unlucky to end up taking a solitary point home based on his individual performance which saw him absolutely everywhere with Celtic registering 33 shots.
It was perhaps fitting that it was McGregor who grabbed the winner with a rasping drive that beat Dons keeper Kelle Roos all ends up as the clock ticked into the 88th minute. Running over to the travelling support, it was clear for all to see just how much the goal meant to McGregor after his injury hell was banished on a nippy afternoon on the east coast. And Richard Foster, the former Aberdeen defender, labelled McGregor the 'best midfielder in Scotland' after his performance brought suitors aplenty.
"I think Celtic have done well without him, but I think every player in that Celtic squad will know they are a better team when he plays.
"He controls the tempo of games, he knows went to slow things down and speed it up, he can play short passes and switch it to the other side of the pitch, he's just a very, very good football player. He's a different captain from Scott Brown, probably more technical than Scott Brown, and he leads more by his performances on the pitch.
"This is a half chance, he's got four or five bodies in front of him, but he strikes it so sweetly and the goalkeeper has got no chance. You've got the best midfielder in Scotland - he had 193 touches in one game."
Foster's thoughts were echoed by former Hearts and Hibs star Michael Stewart, who chimed in with his verdict by praising McGregor's decision making.
"Callum McGregor's a top player, makes the team better, and it's his decision making [which is key]. He speeds it up as Ange Postecoglou was talking about, and he slows it down when he needs to. That is a very good performance from him."
