McGregor says Scots must show tough side

CALLUM McGREGOR insists mental toughness will be as vital as physical strength in Albania if Scotland players are to lift the gloom that has fallen across the national team. The negativity levels have grown this week, with John McGinn becoming the latest player to pull out of tomorrow’s UEFA Nations League clash with a calf strain. However, McGregor remains confident that Alex McLeish’s shorn squad can still secure top spot in Group C1, with a decisive double-header concluding when Israel visit Hampden on Tuesday. And he believes the mindset of those selected will be every bit as crucial as their technical or tactical abilities. ‘Certainly (it will be) away

from home,’ admitted McGregor ahead of the match in Shkoder. ‘We had a tough night away in Israel and it’s about the mental state of the players as much as anything. ‘We’re all good players and we’ve shown that at club level — but it’s about trying to bring that here and harnessing that team spirit. ‘We want to get the country to a positive place. When you’ve not had a period of success like we have, then it gets to fans and it’s our job to bring that excitement back and to try and qualify. ‘It’s a lot of pressure and a big responsibility but this group ofplayers are certainly good enough to do it. ‘It’s just a case of trying to get everything right off and on the pitch.’ McGregor forms part of a six-strong Celtic contingent still available to McLeish amid the spate of injury withdrawals. Not used to losing important matches during their double Treble-winning success under Brendan Rodgers, the midfielder hopes that experience of completing the clean sweep twice can help lift the national team. ‘Any player wants to win and be successful and, particularly, the Celtic lads have had massive success in the last few years,’ added McGregor. ‘It almost becomes normal. If you’re not winning then you think: “What’s going on here, what’s happening?” ‘I think it’s important to try and bring that winning mentality to the squad. ‘I’ve experienced a lot of big games now and I think that helps you. ‘It relaxes you. You know you’ve been in difficult places before and come out the other end having been successful. ‘From a personal experience, the more you see it, the more calm you are about it. ‘You play at the highest level for your club and have had tough tests before. It’s an international game, but we’ve had tougher tests than that and against so-called bigger nations. ‘We’ve actually played okay in some of the games recently. We were decent against Portugal up until they got the goal before half-time, so there are signs the team is starting to come together. You have to try to use that experience as a squad.’ Aston Villa midfielder McGinn became the latest name to withdraw from the squad for the doubleheader. McLeish will not call anyone else up for the match in Albania but may do so for the visit of Israel to Hampden next week. The Scotland manager had previously been left reeling after call-offs from Mikey Devlin, Craig Gordon, Ryan Jack, Jon McLaughlin, Charlie Mulgrew, Kevin McDonald and Stephen O’Donnell. Christophe Berra, Leigh Griffiths, Steven Naismith and John Souttar were already all out injured, while Matt Ritchie and Robert Snodgrass had previously said they did not wish to be considered for selection. James McArthur announced his international retirement and Tom Cairney has not featured for Scotland since being linked with a switch to represent England.