Frank McAvennie reckons Celtic skipper Callum McGregor stayed silent on Wilfried Nancy as he was “worried to say the wrong thing” about the axed boss.
It comes as Brendan Rodgers has lifted the lid on transfer promises from Al-Qadsiah with reports that the captain is a player the Irishman wants at his new club. It has been claimed the cash-rich Saudi club have been urged to launch an ambitious bid to sign captain McGregor and make him one of his first signings.
It would be the second time he’d tried to lure the 32-year-old away having made efforts to sign him for Leicester City in 2019 – but Celtic are expected to fight to keep McGregor if a money-spinning offer from the Middle East does come his way. McGregor still has two-and-a-half years to run on his deal.
Amid the speculation, McGregor was being called to the touchline on a regular basis to receive tactical instructions from Nancy. His 33 day tenure came to an abrupt end earlier this week after just two wins in eight games.
Speaking on his ‘Let Me Be Frank’ podcast, it was noted how few interviews McGregor gave during Nancy’s disastrous tenure to McAvennie. He explained: “I think he was maybe scared to say anything, in case he said the wrong thing.
“That is the way he has been brought up. He has learned at Celtic, and he has been the captain. I wouldn’t know about being the captain, but you have got to watch what you are saying, I think.
“I think Callum was very careful. He didn’t put himself in a position where he could say something bad.”
Rodgers has managed two wins and a draw since his switch to Saudi. He admits he has been impressed with the squad – but has also been promised back in the winter window.
He said: “The players have shown a high level of desire.
“The group is still in its early stages, and over time the team will become more capable of handling such situations, continuing to grow as long as the work progresses in the right way.
“The management of the club will strongly support the team in this month’s transfer window.
“We have suffered from absences and we are used to this and I am optimistic about Al-Qadsiah’s ability to strengthen the team during the winter.”