Celtic captain Callum McGregor has received strong support from a former player and manager following his decision to retire from international duty to focus on his club career.
After the Euro 2024 tournament, McGregor has dedicated himself fully to Celtic, contributing significantly with three goals in five Premiership matches this season.
David Hay, a former Celtic player and manager, commented on the criticism McGregor has faced for not pursuing opportunities in the Premier League or continuing with Scotland. He stated, “I don’t think anyone has the right to criticise Callum McGregor for making his momentous decision to step down from the international set-up. You better believe it would not have been a spur-of-the-moment reaction from the Celtic skipper.”
Hay noted that at 31, McGregor understands his time with the club is limited and is committed to maximizing his contributions at Parkhead. He expressed confidence in McGregor’s potential success in the Premier League, saying, “There’s absolutely no doubt about it.” Hay criticized journalists who labeled McGregor’s decision as “pathetic and lacking ambition,” questioning their motives and defending McGregor’s choice.
He mentioned speculation about Brendan Rodgers wanting McGregor at Leicester City, affirming that McGregor’s dedication to Celtic is unquestionable. Hay compared McGregor’s leadership to that of Scott Brown, who left Celtic for a coaching role at Aberdeen shortly before his 36th birthday.
Reflecting on McGregor’s recent international experience, Hay pointed out that McGregor turned 31 during a challenging Euro match against Germany and subsequently decided to focus on Celtic, stating, “Scotland’s loss will most certainly be Celtic’s gain.”
