Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes Callum McGregor is ready for Scotland
Monday 3 April 2017 15:30, UK
Brendan Rodgers believes Callum McGregor has all the qualities to join the Celtic contingent in Gordon Strachan's Scotland squad.
Rodgers praised the 23-year-old after he had helped Celtic to their sixth successive Premiership title win with a 5-0 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle.
Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths all started in Scotland's 1-0 win over Slovenia at Hampden Park last week, a result which keeps their World Cup qualification hopes alive ahead of the clash with England in June.
And Rodgers insists McGregor, a former Scotland Under-21 player who has been in the senior squad before but is uncapped, has got what it takes to join them.
"Callum McGregor never gets a mention," Rodgers said.
"We have all the stars, all the goals; this was a boy who was absolutely brilliant yesterday.
"I want the players to be the very best they can be in their careers. It is a short career for them.
"I have absolutely no doubt that if Gordon is looking for someone who is technically gifted, who can keep the ball, who understands football tactically, a player who never wavers in mentality - he is seven or eight out of 10 every game he plays - who has got Champions League experience, then you wouldn't go too far wrong with Callum in your squad."
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The former Swansea and Liverpool boss added McGregor has impressed after being asked to play in five positions this season.
Meanwhile, strikers Moussa Dembele (hamstring) and Leigh Griffths (back) missed the game against Hearts and will again be out for the visit of Partick Thistle on Wednesday.
