Callum’s eyes lit up when he was told he would be captain
MANAGER LIFTED BY McGREGOR’S REACTION TO LEADING SCOTS
ALEX MCLEISH admits Callum McGregor’s eyes lit up when he learned he would captain scotland for the first time against Kazakhstan.
Described as a ‘natural leader’ by former club-mate stuart Armstrong, the Celtic midfielder will don the armband in the Astana Arena after Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney succumbed to ailments.
Assigned the task of delivering bad news on the injury front, McLeish admitted it was a lot easier to deliver some good news to his 25-year-old skipper.
‘i invited Callum to my room for a chat before we came to the stadium to train,’ the scotland manager explained.
‘We spoke about other things to do with his game. Then i threw it in and said i’d like him to be the captain for the game.
‘his eyes lit up and it was a great feeling to be able to say that to somebody. it was just great to see how chuffed he was as the recipient of the good news.
‘it was the same when i told Andy Robertson and big scott McKenna in Mexico last year. Callum was probably thinking: “Being captain of my country, it’s some honour”.’
A player whose leadership exudes via example rather than weight of personality, McGregor has deputised for Celtic captain scott Brown. An increasingly important and influential player for both club and country, McLeish admires the way he goes about his business.
‘he’s not the type of captain to go about snarling at his team-mates and telling them: “Play as good as me”. he’s a very well-respected guy who encourages his team-mates and leads by example.
‘he has been a phenomenal player in scotland over the last few years, his consistency has been outstanding. he has played left-back, left wing-back and every single position in midfield — and he sets a very good example of the very much modern-day captain.
‘he’s just a guy who is a great example to every young footballer who wants to be a professional.
‘Every time you point something out to Callum, he takes it on board, whether it’s good or bad. he just doesn’t get flustered.
‘There have been times when i’ve thought: “hang on a minute, i’ve just given him some stick”. But he’s such a calm person. Let’s hope he brings that calmness to the team.’
how important a captain really is in the modern age is open to debate. Yet McLeish played under formidable leaders such as Willie Miller and Graeme souness for Aberdeen and scotland. The captain’s armband, claimed the scotland manager, is more than a token gesture.
‘Yeah. i think it is,’ McLeish insisted. ‘it’s not just: “Let’s put them all in a hat and pick one out”.
‘We felt that it was common sense as well when you look at the whole squad that Callum was sticking out a wee bit.
‘he’s played really well for us, culminating in the two games just before Christmas. his form has been very consistent and we are just looking for the players to replicate all the form they have shown for their clubs over the last few years.’
McKenna wore the armband in south America last summer. Aberdeen captain Graeme shinnie is also renowned for his verbal skills at Pittodrie.
Yet Armstrong, a Celtic teammate of McGregor until his £7million move to southampton, believes the scotland manager has made a smart choice.
‘i think having played with Cal, he is a natural leader on the pitch — and a very good footballer, too,’ said the midfielder.
‘he has respect from all the boys and the way he conducts himself with Celtic and on the pitch is exemplary.
‘it’s disappointing to have Andy (Robertson) out but i think the squad, as a whole, is a good one in terms of depth and Callum is taking on the captaincy. i have played with him for many years, so i know his abilities as a leader and the team has a lot of respect for him.
‘he is very organised. sometimes you play with players who are natural leaders on the pitch, who spur the team on — not so much vocally but naturally with their play. Callum is definitely one of those players.
‘he has a lot of respect in that sense. he is very good technically, too. The team are delighted that he is going to be leading the nation, as it were. it’s a great honour for Callum.’
Yet to congratulate him personally before last night’s media briefing, Armstrong added: ‘it was just announced and i’ve not actually seen him yet. When i do, i’ll give him a high five.’
Armstrong, meanwhile, believes the artificial pitch they will be playing on can’t be used as an excuse if the scots slip up this afternoon.
A survivor of Celtic’s edgy 4-3 defeat to Astana in a Champions League qualifier two seasons ago, he admitted: ‘When i came here before, i was actually impressed with the condition of the pitch.
‘it’s quite nice. Obviously, ideally we would prefer grass. But i think it’s okay.
‘All the boys in the squad will have experienced playing on artificial grass before, so it’s no problem.’