CALLUM: STRACHAN SNUB LEFT ME GUTTED
CALLUM McGREGOR last night admitted he was surprised to be overlooked for the Scotland game against England earlier this month given the outstanding form he had been in for Celtic towards the end of last season.
But McGregor has stressed that forcing his way into Gordon Strachan’s side for their remaining Russia 2018 qualifiers is a major ambition for him in the new season.
The midfielder, who arrived in Austria with the rest of the Celtic squad yesterday at the start of a 10-day pre-season break, was a regular in Brendan Rodgers’s side towards the end of the 2016/17 campaign.
The 24-year-old scored four goals in his last seven games – including in back-to-back victories over Rangers – as the Parkhead club completed only the fourth treble in their history.
He was widely expected to be included in the national squad for the Group F match with
Gareth Southgate’s side at Hampden on June 10 – but was even omitted from the initial 29man pool.
Scotland, who drew the England game 2-2, have vital qualifiers coming up against Lithuania and Malta in September and McGregor is determined to be involved.
“When the squad was being announced I was confident I might be in it,” he said. “I was playing well, scoring goals and playing in big games.
“The squad came out and I wasn’t in it. That was that. Naturally, you get that confidence and think ‘right, it might be time, I might be ready’.
“Naturally, you are disappointed when it doesn’t happen, but that’s not going to knock my confidence.
“I will come back, work hard and when the games start I will hopefully show I can get there.”
“Scotland is always a target. But I just need to focus on my club stuff and getting back in.”
McGregor believes he is better placed to cope with the demands of a Celtic player now after working under Brendan Rodgers for a season, winning every major honour in the Scottish game and competing in the Champions League.
“A hundred first team games later I feel a far more complete player now. I feel ready to handle international football now.
“It’s a closed shop. It’s just up to me to try and catch the eye and if I get in, great. I try and look after my Celtic career first and foremost and any international recognition after that is a bonus.”