A GRIT OF ALL RIGHT
CALLUM McGREGOR reckons Scotland showed “character” to win on the road in Hungary.
Alex McLeish’s men rallied to bounce back from a disheartening defeat by Costa Rica with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday.
Celtic star McGregor believes the Scots’ team spirit was key to overcoming a robust and battling Hungary side in the Groupama Arena.
He said: “The pitch was difficult and they were a big, physical team.
“It shows the boys can display that character to get results when we come away from home. It was important after Friday.
“It was positive in Hungary – you saw everybody working hard, working together as a team and the shape of the team looked good. It’s good to get that first win.
“Obviously a new manager brings his own thoughts and it’s about the players trying to implement them as quick as possible.
“It’s important in international football you get the system straight away. I thought our three centre-backs defended excellently.
“It shows there were two sides of the game we did pretty well.”
McGregor linked up well with clubmate Stuart Armstrong and Hibs’ John McGinn as the midfield trio controlled the bulk of the game.
He said: “I felt the balance in midfield was great and we had a lot of legs.
“The boys can play as well, they can pass and get the ball forward.” FORMER Arsenal manager Terry Neill believes Brendan Rodgers has all the qualities to be a big hit as the next Gunners boss.
The ex-Northern Ireland defender isn’t surprised his compatriot has been linked with the Emirates job after his success with Celtic.
But if Rodgers is offered the chance to succeed Arsene Wenger he reckons the 45-year-old will face the biggest decision of his career because he is such a hero at Parkhead and could create history by leading the Hoops to 10 Premiership titles in a row.
Neill knows what it takes to be a winner at the Emirates, having guided Arsenal to FA Cup glory over Manchester United in 1979.
The 75-year-old is impressed by the impact Rodgers has made at Celtic as he chases a second domestic clean sweep – and believes he could be the perfect fit for the Gunners.
Neill said: “I can understand why Brendan has been linked to the Arsenal job because he has done a smashing job at Celtic.
“Rodgers has many qualities and has ticked most of the boxes in terms of his managerial abilities.
“Some people may say it is one of the easier jobs but nothing is easy in football management. You still have to go and do the business. He has done brilliantly there and I’m delighted for him.
“He has united the club, not just in terms of the players, but the entire club with the board and the supporters.
“It looks like they are going to win the Scottish Premiership title again and possibly go on and win another treble.
“That’s impressive. I would have to say managing in Scotland is not
Brendan Rodgers now has the experience and ability to think he could do it TERRY NEILL
the same as managing in the Premier League or Germany or Spain or Italy though.”
Neill, who was in charge of Arsenal from 1976 to 1983, continues to have close links to the club he led to the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final in 1980 when they lost to Valencia on penalties.
He also served as a fine player from 1959 to 1970 and still monitors events at his old club.
Last summer Wenger signed a new two-year deal but his future is far from certain amid suggestions he may step away at the end of the season.
There has been constant speculation surrounding who the Frenchman’s replacement would be with Germany boss Joachim Low, ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, former Barcelona supremo Luis Enrique and ex-Borussia Dortmund gaffer Thomas Tuchel all in the mix.
Rodgers is also believed to be in the thoughts of the Arsenal hierarchy.
Neill believes the experience of