Clear-the-air talks constructive after Dublin debrief, insists McGregor
Scotland stalwart says there was no shouting and swearing as players shared feelings following defeat
CALLUM McGREGOR leads by his words as well as his actions. Now he knows Scotland must do their talking on the pitch after a Dublin debrief.
The aftermath of the defeat to the Republic of Ireland could have seen emotions spill over
and tensions run high but the balance has to be struck at all times behind the scenes.
As a fine and successful captain of Celtic, McGregor would certainly have had his say as Steve Clarke – alongside
his staff and his players – came to terms with events at the Aviva Stadium and attempted to move on and to turn attentions towards Armenia.
The 3-0 reverse was an embarrassing evening for Scotland and the national side cannot shirk their
responsibility or hide from the questions and the criticisms that have come their way in recent days.
McGregor is not the type to do that anyway. The fallout has been difficult, but the midfielder believes the right tone has been struck.
“In football when you drop below the standards you have set yourself then there’s going to be a lot of disappointment, both collectively and individually,” McGregor said.
“It’s a good sign when things don’t go well that people are willing to speak up and want to help each other.
“That is the main thing, it’s constructive and everyone wants to help each other out.
“You don’t need to be shouting and swearing, doing things in a negative way – it has to be done positively.
“That’s the good thing about his group, everyone wants to find the positives, asking how we can get better and how can we move on.
“You always have the next game, it’s a group of mates you are on the pitch with and you have to fight for each other.”
The only positive that Scotland could take on Saturday was that the result – earned thanks to goals from Alan Browne, Troy Parrott and Michael Obafemi – was
not even more damaging as Stephen Kenny’s side earned a shock win.
Three crucial Nations
League points were squandered. The momentum lost must now be regained and
that process starts tonight in Yerevan.
“You have to stick together in the difficult moments, even
when it seems hard to do,”
McGregor said. “That’s why you are a good group who have had success because you stick together when things don’t go the way you want.
“Rather than finger-pointing, you have to work to find a solution to the problems.
“This group is a positive group and you don’t achieve success without having that, you have got to be together.
“You have to have each other’s back, everyone is in it together – the staff, the players, the backroom staff.
“We are a tight-knit group and you have to have that in football, you have to be together.
“It’s super-important now that nobody starts to fingerpoint, we stay united and find the solutions to the problems and go forward together. If we do that it will help us be stronger.”
McGregor has been through enough trials and tribulations in his career to know how to
respond in adversity and how to strive for success.
His experiences at Parkhead have shaped him as a player and a person. In both regards, he is an integral part of Clarke’s side on and off the field.
McGregor said: “It’s important. The more experienced professionals you
have in your team will stand you in good stead.
“That’s what we try to do. We’ve a number of them here in the camp and that’s a reason why we have been successful.
“There are a lot of good people who all help and lean on each other as well. You have to take that leadership from your
club and try and help as much as you can.
“We are all coming from different club football environments. Some play attacking football, some play a little bit more defensively.
“It’s important we come together and communicate with each other and speak about how we want to play.
“As long as everyone is on the same page we can move forward and that’s the job
of the experienced ones plus the management team to get everyone on the same page and working together.”
Victory in Yerevan this evening would be – just like the win over Armenia at Hampden last midweek
– a small step in the right direction on the back of a crushing low for Scotland.
The international schedule started with a loss that ended the World Cup dream. It must
now culminate with a win that keeps the Nations League campaign on track.
McGregor said: “With the success of being at the last tournament, that has given everyone the belief and expectation that we should be getting there on a regular basis.
“That’s the type of team we want to be, we want to be achieving things as a group.
“As players we want to achieve things individually too, so we have to meet the standards we have set ourselves in the last 18 months or so.
“It’s important we don’t forget the good work that has happened in that period, that we don’t lose belief in ourselves.
“And also that the nation don’t lose belief in us either. So Tuesday is important because we have to get back on track quickly.
“We have to go away with a positive result and ready to come back in September to make sure it’s a successful
campaign.”