The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Strachan calls McGregor in for World Cup qualifiers
Celtic striker Callum McGregor has been called into the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Slovenia.
McGregor’s call-up was announced on the Scottish Football Association’s Twitter account yesterday.
The 24-year-old took his goals tally for the season to six with a double in Celtic’s 2-2 draw against Hibs on Saturday.
McGregor’s call-up was prompted by injuries to Celtic team-mates Stuart Armstrong and Scott Brown, who were ruled out of the qualifiers which will determine Scotland’s World Cup fate.
The uncapped McGregor has only been called up once previously, for a European Championship qualifier against Germany in 2014, but his recent form had led to calls for him to be included again.
Armstrong’s withdrawal had left Gordon Strachan short of options in the advanced central midfield role. James Morrison was an unused substitute in West Brom’s 2-2 draw with Watford on Saturday and has not been a regular starter this season, although he played the second half of Scotland’s 2-0 victory over Malta in their previous qualifier.
Strachan’s squad were meeting up yesterday but Matt Ritchie’s Newcastle and Andy Robertson’s Liverpool were meeting at St James’ Park and both Barry Bannan and Steven Fletcher started in Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Leeds earlier in the day.