McGregor’s ready to rise to challenge
ALEX McLEISH provided another landmark for Allan McGregor when he named him in his first squad on his return as Scotland manager.
The 36-year-old Hull goalkeeper was an experienced head among a new-look group of players who met in Edinburgh on Sunday, ahead of friendlies against Costa Rica at Hampden Park on Friday and in Hungary next Tuesday.
While boss at Rangers, McLeish gave McGregor his debut in 2002 and during his first tenure as national team boss he capped him for the first time. That came against Austria in 2007, and the keeper says there is plenty of life left in him.
“He gave me my Rangers debut away to Forfar,” said McGregor, who won the last of his 35 caps against Canada a year ago.
“He brought me on with 20 minutes to go. He moved me into the first-team dressing when I was at Rangers as well, so it was good. I worked with him four or five years there and a year for Scotland.
“It’s good to be back. This time last year was the last time. I don’t feel any different than I was five, 10 years ago.
“Obviously it’s going to hit you at one point, but I can’t see it being in the near future, hopefully. I am not thinking long term, just thinking about these games coming up.”
Out of contract at the end of the season at Hull, who sit in 18th place in the Championship, and with no new offer on the table, McGregor conceded a return to Scottish football was “potentially” attractive.
However, he stressed he was focusing only on trying to stay in the Championship, then “whatever happens, happens”.
The return of McLeish to the Scotland hotseat has been welcomed by Walter Smith, the man he succeeded in 2007 and who was also linked with the job after the departure of Gordon Strachan in October. “Alex is a tried and tested manager. If anything, he is one that they should have gone for in the first place,” said Smith.
“His record as Scotland manager was good. I didn’t see any reason why they shouldn’t have attempted to get him in the first place.
“He will obviously take a few games to get himself back into the run of things again and see what the standard of player is like, in comparison to the ones he had previously, and make up his mind what he is going to do.
“But the European Championship this time offers a good opportunity for a national team manager, there are a couple of ways you can get yourself into the qualifying position.
“So hopefully the good run that Scotland finished when Gordon Strachan was there can continue.”