Oliver Abildgaard insists he is able to fill Callum McGregor’s Celtic footwear.
The skipper was compelled off injured throughout Wednesday evening’s 3-1 Champions League Group F defeat away to RB Leipzig. Supervisor Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the damage is “pretty vital” and that McGregor is going through a prolonged spell out of motion after heading to see a specialist at the moment.
However his absence presents Abildgaard a possibility to ascertain himself within the beginning XI after arriving on mortgage from Rubin Kazan on deadline day. He made his debut with a late cameo look off the bench throughout final Saturday’s 2-1 win over Motherwell earlier than being thrown into the European conflict in Germany. The Hoops received themselves again on stage phrases after McGregor went off by way of Jota early within the second half, however Andre Silva’s double noticed Leipzig take all three factors forward of the facet assembly once more in Glasgow subsequent week.
The Dane might get the nod to begin in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off towards St Johnstone. McGregor's are huge boots to fill and Abildgaard continues to be a way wanting full match health, however he’s prepared and keen to step in regardless of that.
"That’s a query for the gaffer I assume,” he stated. “I hope one of the best for Callum and a fast restoration. If the supervisor and the teaching workers imply for me to interchange him, then I’m glad to take action. However we have now a powerful squad and quite a lot of completely different gamers that may fill within the place, so we’ll wait and see.”
After only a minute on the pitch towards the Steelmen, Abildgaard was glad to be correctly concerned towards Leipzig. Nonetheless, the consequence made it a bittersweet second. He added: “To begin with, crucial factor was to get the win and we didn’t try this, so it’s exhausting. However we have to transfer on from that. From a private perspective, it was additionally my first correct recreation of soccer in 4 months, which was a problem for me. However I do know taking part in commonly is the way in which for me to succeed in my high stage once more, so it’s simply step-by-step.”
The previous few days have seen Abildgaard play his first soccer in 4 months after the Russian season led to Could. And he admits it's going to take time earlier than Celtic followers see one of the best of him. “I’d be mendacity if I stated it was simple as a result of I used to be coaching by myself for 3 months,” Abildgaard defined. “It’s simple sufficient to keep up common health, however by way of soccer health and particular workouts, it takes a while to return again. However I’m heading in the right direction now. The workers and bodily coaches are serving to me get again to my stage and the place I must be. I’m getting there slowly and attempting to be affected person.”
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