Darren Fletcher has paid tribute to Celtic’s Callum McGregor for the part he played in Scotland Euro 2020 playoff win over Serbia, whilst appearing on Sky One‘s coverage of the game.
Scotland drew 1-1 but triumphed 5-4 in penalties, and McGregor played a key role in Scotland’s goal in the game, which was scored by fellow Celtic star Ryan Christie.
McGregor intercepted a pass in the middle of the middle, then passed the ball himself to Ryan Christie, who fired home in style.
Fletcher was full of praise for McGregor getting himself in the right place at the right time to intercept the pass, which lead to the goal. The Champions League winner in 2008 with Manchester United was delighted with how McGregor knew exactly where to be at such a crucial moment.
“Absolutely read the boy’s pass”
“Callum McGregor, he’s absolutely read the boy’s pass, that’s a football brain at its highest level, that’s the reading of the game, that’s the football knowledge” Fletcher said, whilst appearing on Sky One (22:44,12/11/20).
It is moments like that interception, that might go unnoticed by most fans and pundits, that will impress managers and teammates about McGregor.
He got himself in exactly the right place and right time to make the move that led to Scotland’s goal. No wonder he is a mainstay of both the Celtic and Scotland teams with qualities like that.
McGregor seemed to get himself forward a bit more for Scotland than he has been doing for Celtic in recent weeks. Not only did he set up the goal, but he came very close to scoring himself, with a rasping drive that went just wide of goal.
Showed great bottle to take penalty
He also showed great bottle to take one of the five penalties in the shoot-out. With Scotland set to play two more games in the next week, McGregor won’t get much of a break.
However, you have to imagine that the adrenaline of helping Scotland reach the Euros will help with that.
He deserves tons of credit for his Scotland display, and hopefully the 27-year-old takes his international form into the domestic game when the Hoops return to action.
In other news, some Celtic fans have offered contrasting opinions on pay per view.
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