Callum McGregor: ‘I thought his legs had gone’ – McAvennie
Celtic captain Callum McGregor did a ‘damn good job’ for Scotland before retiring from international football in August.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-Celtic and Scotland striker Frank McAvennie believes the 31-year-old’s decision to retire from international football could be a ‘weight off his shoulders’, admitting he was ‘concerned’ about the midfielder last season.
McGregor called time on his Scotland career with 63 appearances and three goals under his belt since making his senior debut in 2017 against the Netherlands.
The central midfielder represented his country from Under-16 level and went on to help Steve Clark’s side reach two consecutive European Championships in 2020 and 2024.
Callum McGregor to concentrate on Celtic after international retirement
McGregor has already beaten his goal tally from last season by one goal, scoring three in Celtic’s opening four Scottish Premier League games.
He bagged the club’s third goal in their 3-0 demolition of Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season, leaving Celtic five points ahead of their arch-rivals.
“I think he’s done his bit”, McAvennie told Football Insider.
“He’s served his time for his country and done a damn good job and he’s needing a break.
“Last week, he probably went off for holiday, that will be the first time in his career he’s had a week’s holiday during the season.
“I’d have gone to the Caribbean for a week, gotten away from everyone and just chilled, that’s what Callum needs.
“He’s only 31 but I was concerned last year because I thought maybe his legs had gone because he was so pedestrian and sideways and backward.
“Look at him now, he made the decision and maybe that’s the weight coming off his shoulder.
“He’s made the decision to no longer play for Scotland, quite rightly so as far as I’m concerned, and because he’s no longer playing for Scotland he could last another year or two at Celtic.
“I’m delighted, Celtic are the winners out of this so we will see how it goes but there is a lot of competition in there now.”
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