Chris Sutton name-dropped Celtic captain Callum McGregor whilst stating that England star Jordan Henderson doesn’t get into Scotland’s XI.
Celtic’s main man in the middle is set for one of his biggest tests on Tuesday night, as he is set to strap on the Scotland colours for an old school and titanic battle with the old enemy at Hampden.
One of the main reasons behind Scotland’s success under Steve Clarke is the midfield and Callum McGregor has been a key player during that period.
But, according to Celtic legend Sutton, if recently-departed Liverpool star Jordan Henderson, who started for England against Ukraine last time out, was Scottish, then he feels that he would be warming the bench, as he told It’s All Kicking Off.
McGregor himself, Aston Villa captain and boyhood Celt John McGinn, Brighton’s Billy Gilmour and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay were the ones who started that crucial win over Cyprus.
And in truth, it’s hard to see how Henderson, who declined last season and is now playing in Saudi Arabia, would get into Scotland’s midfield.
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“You look at Jordan Henderson in midfield,” said Sutton. “Would he get into Scotland’s midfield?
“I am just saying, would Jordan Henderson, at this moment in time, get into the Scotland midfield? McGregor. Gilmour. McTominay and McGinn.”
He later added on Twitter: “I enjoy a hypothetical debate… I don’t think Jordan Henderson (if he was Scottish) gets into the Scotland midfield… what do you think?”
McGregor v Henderson
Whilst the likes of John McGinn and Scott McTominay rightfully steal the headlines for their goalscoring performances for Scotland in recent years.
Someone like McGregor does go unnoticed for the bravery he shows on the ball, how he keeps the game ticking, releases others to express themselves in the final third and then provides that bite without the ball if need be.
There’s no doubt that Henderson has had a better career, including winning the European Cup, than McGregor.
But, for the here and now, from McGregor to McGinn. They would all get picked ahead of Henderson.