Ryan Jack admits that he loves playing with Celtic captain Callum McGregor

By Milo Clay

March 21, 2023

Rangers man Ryan Jack has admitted that he loves playing alongside Celtic captain Callum McGregor. 

The midfield duo will put their club rivalries aside for a short while as they have both been called up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad. 

There is certainly no love lost between the pair when they face off in Glasgow derbies, but it seems that McGregor and Jack get along quite well outside of their club duties. 

Both will be hoping to feature for Scotland as they face Euro qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain over the next week. 

And Jack has admitted that he has formed a strong relationship with the Celtic captain while on international duty over the years. 

Jack on his ‘great relationship’ with McGregor 

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Rangers midfielder was full of praise for McGregor, while suggesting that they both face stiff competition for a place in Clarke’s side. 

“We have a great relationship through the number of games that me and Callum played,” he said. 

“I obviously don’t know what the manager is going to go with, I don’t know what the formation or the personnel is until we obviously meet up. There are five or six midfielders in the squad. You look at it and think that anyone could play, anyone could step in.

“There’s not going to be a big gap in the quality that is coming in and out. For me, it’s great competition but it’s also great for us as a nation, having that strength and depth that hopefully we can go and be successful.

“But you just want to do as well as you can and try and show him in the first couple of days in training that if he wants you to play then you’re ready; you’re fit, strong and healthy. 

“I’m sure it will be the same idea for us all, we all want to go, we all want to play and that’s the sort of mentality that you need.”

McGregor has been exceptional under Ange Postecoglou this season and he has also been a regular under Clarke over the past few years.

The 29-year-old faces stern competition for a place in the Scotland side with the likes of John McGinn and Scott McTominay in the squad, but his form for Celtic will surely see him earn his 50th cap up against Cyprus.