RODGERS HAILS CAL AS EXAMPLE FOR SCOTS

BRENDAN Rodgers believes Celtic’s European specialist Callum McGregor is living proof that Scotland can still produce top-quality footballers.

The Celtic manager insisted the 25-year-old can be one of his key men on Thursday night when Spanish side Valencia come to Glasgow on Thursday for the first leg of the last-32 Europa League tie. McGregor has scored big goals for Celtic over the past two seasons in Europe, including a superb strike at this stage a year ago against

Zenit St Petersburg, plus a superb goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and is enjoying the best season of his career.

Rodgers’ side face a huge task to get past Valencia and win a knock-out tie for the first time since Martin O’Neill’s side reached the UEFA Cup quarterfinals in 2004.

And he believes McGregor has shown to have the technical ability to prove the country is still capable of bringing through young players who can cope at a European level.

Rodgers said: “I have enjoyed watching the development of a lot of players and Callum is one of them. People ask ‘where’s the talent in Scotland?’ but look at a player like him – it’s there.

“Callum does the basics well and has a level of excellence every day, which he takes into the games. He’s a brilliant player.

“When I first came in, John Kennedy told me all about Callum. He’s played in his young teams and he’d seen him coming through. Early on, I could tell quickly that he was technically gifted.

“It was then a case of Callum knowing that I had the confidence in him and wanted to extend his game a bit more.

“That was about having personality as there is a fine line with good players.

“They have talent but personality and belief can take you to the next level.

“I wanted to help him and give him confidence, and now you can see the personality in his play. He has confidence and ability, and now flourishes in every game.”