Oliver Abildgaard insists he is ready to fill Callum McGregor’s Celtic shoes.
The skipper was forced off injured during Wednesday night’s 3-1 Champions League Group F defeat away to RB Leipzig. Manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the injury is “fairly significant” and that McGregor is facing a lengthy spell out of action after heading to see a specialist today.
But his absence offers Abildgaard an opportunity to establish himself in the starting XI after arriving on loan from Rubin Kazan on deadline day. He made his debut with a late cameo appearance off the bench during last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Motherwell before being thrown into the European clash in Germany. The Hoops got themselves back on level terms after McGregor went off through Jota early in the second half, but Andre Silva’s double saw Leipzig take all three points ahead of the side meeting again in Glasgow next week.
The Dane could get the nod to start in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against St Johnstone. McGregor's are big boots to fill and Abildgaard is still some way short of full match fitness, but he’s ready and willing to step in despite that.
"That’s a question for the gaffer I guess,” he said. “I hope the best for Callum and a quick recovery. If the manager and the coaching staff mean for me to replace him, then I’m happy to do so. But we have a strong squad and a lot of different players that can fill in the position, so we’ll wait and see.”
After just a minute on the pitch against the Steelmen, Abildgaard was glad to be properly involved against Leipzig. However, the result made it a bittersweet moment. He added: “First of all, the most important thing was to get the win and we didn’t do that, so it’s hard. But we need to move on from that. From a personal perspective, it was also my first proper game of football in four months, which was a challenge for me. But I know playing regularly is the way for me to reach my top level again, so it’s just step by step.”
The last few days have seen Abildgaard play his first football in four months after the Russian season ended in May. And he admits it will take time before Celtic fans see the best of him. “I’d be lying if I said it was easy because I was training on my own for three months,” Abildgaard explained. “It’s easy enough to maintain general fitness, but in terms of football fitness and specific exercises, it takes some time to come back. But I’m on the right track now. The staff and physical coaches are helping me get back to my level and where I should be. I’m getting there slowly and trying to be patient.”
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