Callum McGregor

Brendan Rodgers admits he is secretly delighted that skipper Callum McGregor has called it quits on his Scotland career, and believes the midfielder can now focus on maintaining his high levels of performance at Celtic.


After representing his country on 62 occasions and appearing in two major tournaments, McGregor has announced his retirement from international football following Steve Clarke's side's poor display in the European Championships in Germany where they failed to progress from Group A. The 31-year-old has been an ever present at Parkhead in past 10 years, and made 45 appearances in all competitions last season despite missing a few weeks of action earlier this year with a hamstring problem. Rodgers has saluted his captain's desire to make himself available for every game but also concedes that downtime during international breaks will give McGregor time to recharge his batteries for Celtic


Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday's clash with Hibs at Easter Road, he said: "I had obviously spoken to Callum on that and was aware of his intentions. He's had a great seven years with Scotland and won 62 caps.

From a selfish point of view and for Celtic it's really good news as he'll get the chance to recover. I think you all know how many games he plays so this will give him those little opportunities to have a breather."


Rodgers added: "He is really intense, which is what I love about him. His appetite is to improve and he never has a day off, even if he has a free day he is recovering or thinking about the game. So these little windows will give him the chance to do that. But he's had a fantastic career for his country that he can be very proud of

Going into this next phase of his career, he can focus on Celtic. He is 31 years of age and has played over 500 games in his club career and has many more to come. But he knows he will need to look after his body. Fitness-wise, he is in really good condition and is probably looking to the future.

 

Happy with is..

 

Scott Brown knows Callum McGregor won't have taken his decision to retire from Scotland lightly - and pointed to his injury last season as one of the factors behind hanging up his boots.

The Celtic skipper has played his final game for Steve Clarke after a relentless few years that saw him run himself ragged for club and country. McGregor played a scarcely believable 57 games from June 2023 through to the end of Euro 2024 and the rigours began to show with the 31-year-old missing a month of action due to injury near the end of last season


He recovered for the run-in and played all three games for Scotland at the Euros, but on Friday he announced the tough decision to retire from internationals after 63 caps. Brendan Rodgers admitted that, selfishly, it's relief to see his skipper giving himself a break. And Ayr boss Brown, who made the same decision in April 2016 before a brief return in 2017, has applauded his former teammate for putting his health, and his club, first

Brown, speaking to BBC Scotland before his side faced Airdrie, said: "Callum is his own man. He's done some fantastic things for Celtic and for Scotland, he's been to the Euros and all that. I'm sure he's just put some thought into how he's going to look after his body now and giving everything he's got to Celtic for as long as he possibly can.

It's similar to what I did back in the day. OK, I jumped back in for a few games, but I knew it was time to retire from international duty, the same as I knew it was time to retire from club football


It's the hardest (decision) in the world. Obviously being at two major tournaments with Scotland, for the first time in a long, long time, it's obviously a hard thing to do. He's probably thinking long-term about how to get the most out of his body and maintain his current level for Celtic for as long as he possibly can."

Brown was then asked if he can see where Rodgers was coming from when he said he was pleased to hear McGregor's decision. He responded: "Yeah, definitely! He saves a lot of energy for Celtic (by retiring). It's a long, long season, especially going to the Euros and playing in all these games for Scotland. He's not had a break for a long time. You could see he got injured at the end of last season, but played through and continued to do that for Scotland. The rest will do him brilliantly

Callum looks after himself really well. He'll still be eager to watch the Scotland games and he'll be a little bit jealous of the lads, as I was when I retired. But you've got to give it up eventually and Callum knows it's maybe the right time for his body. He's got to look after Celtic as well

 

Scotland are * * anyway.

This will prolong McGregor's career. He's achieved everything he possibly can for Scotland. He could play international fitba until he's 91 and still the pinnacle will be 2 major tournament appearances.

Great news for us.

 

Thankless task playing under Clarke unless your a 6ft4” lump of wood

 

Good for us

 

Good news for us and dare I say for Scotland too. A lot of games pass him by I think for Scotland because it’s getting shelled from back to front so often.

Gilmour will have the same problem.

 

Fantastic hit!

 

That performance was better than 90% of anything I saw from him last season.

Promising.

 

Best player on the park

 

If anyone wants highlights of his goal you’ll find it on PornHub.

 

CalMac will become only the 19th Celtic player in history of the club to reach 500 career appearances as long as Brendan keeps picking him and if so it should be achieved some time in January 2025.
Currently on 466 Celtic appearances.

 

Like to see him do this more often.