Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has applauded the contribution of Callum McGregor this season and likened the versatile Scotland internationalist to the late Tommy Burns.

McGregor is the only Scottish player to net in all five tournaments that Celtic have competed in but his overall displays have suggested that he has matured into a player who has earned the trust of Rodgers for the big occasion.

McGregor netted the second goal against Rangers at Hampden last weekend as Celtic eased their way towards the William Hill Scottish Cup final and Rodgers offered a glowing tribute in support of the 24-year-old.

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“He’s Tommy’s type – of that mould,” enthused the Celtic manager. “He had a close association when Tommy was here and alive.

“Yeah, he’s a player who can have real longevity here. If you know football, you know he’s a top player.

“He can dictate a game, he has courage to play and he plays with a technical simplicity.

“You see players who need 55 touches, but his game is simple.

“Like I say his view of the whole pitch is what stands out. That’s when you know you have a very good player because he senses what is going on in the game.”

Celtic captain Scott Brown and, to a lesser extent, James Forrest, have been mentioned this season as contenders for Player of the Year but Rodgers believes that the unassuming McGregor has done enough to force himself into that company.

“He goes under the radar. He doesn’t have an agent linking him with every Tom, Dick and Harry.

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“He’s just the young guy who has worked his way through the levels of the academy and every manager and coach after a game picks him out. They say they didn’t realise McGregor was such a good player.

“He should be up there for player of the year.

“I have huge trust in him.

“He can play in a variety of positions and has this inbuilt ability and brain for football.

“He can play left back to the letter, or I play him as an attacking midfielder. The other week he played on the right side coming in as the fourth man, he can play on the other side. He can play as a number 10.

“He’s an absolutely brilliant young player and he’s only going to get better.

“His ability to play simple football is amazing – there’s not many like him.

“The picture he sees of the game is clear. He’s such a fantastic talent and a joy to work with. He never misses training and plays with a smile. He took a wee while to settle when I came in here because of the demands I put on him in as that type of player – one that shows authority.”