WRONG CALL...

Rodgers can’t believe star is below Snoddy in cap queue..

BRENDAN Rodgers last night admitted to being stunned that Callum McGregor had been ignored by Gordon Strachan – especially when he saw who did make the Scotland squad. The Celtic manager was puzzled after Strachan opted to go for the likes of Barry Bannon and Robert Snodgrass, who has been sidelined by West Ham, instead of one of the Premiership’s in-form players.

The Celtic manager said:“I’m disappointed for him,” said Rodgers. “I don’t know what else he can do. I was surprised when he wasn’t in it, then even more surprised when I actually saw

the squad. But I don’t think he can do any more.

“I’m just thankful I’ve got him in my squad. I think about the number of positions he can play and the quality he brings.

“Nothing will change with Callum, he’ll go on and do what he’s been doing over the last 12 months. He’ll show how valuable he is for Celtic.”

McGregor will start against Astana tonight when Celtic are certain to progress to the group stage of the Champions League as they enjoy a 5-0 lead from the first leg.

Rodgers reckons his player is unappreciated by many outside of Celtic Park – and that may be the reason he is down the list in the Scotland cap pecking order.

He said: “You have seen it in the past with international teams that there are some players maybe just don’t quite make the squads and others are there.

“But we always have to respect Gordon, he is the manager, he sees the players, he goes around the clubs, he sees them play and he sees them perform.

“He’s had a group over the last 12 months that have maybe got close and sometimes it’s hard to change that.

“But if you’re talking about footballing qualities then he should definitely be in the squad.”

Scott Brown, the Celtic and Scotland captain, gave his team-mate the bad news that once again Strachan had overlooked him.

Brown said: “The wee man will keep working hard. We do have a lot of competition in the middle no matter which formation the gaffer plays, so Callum will keep scoring goals, creating chances and doing what he does for us. His time will come for Scotland.”

Celtic, meanwhile, are hoping to finalise the signing of South African central defender Rivaldo Coetzee, who plays for Ajax Cape Town, at the end of this week.

The 20-year-old, who has already made 22 appearances for his country, is expected to agree a four-year deal following his £1m move.

And Nir Bitton is expected to be fit to start against Astana after recovering from a foot injury.