Callum McGregor’s Scotland Future Under Scrutiny as Former Captain Weighs In

Towards the end of the previous season, Callum McGregor, the celebrated midfielder for Celtic, faced concerns about the toll his relentless workload was taking on him. McGregor, at the age of 31, exhibited signs of slowing down due to a bout of Achilles tendonitis that kept him out for a month during a crucial juncture of the season.

Despite enduring persistent discomfort, McGregor returned to guide Celtic to a league and cup double before featuring in all three of Scotland‘s matches at the European Championships.

The conclusion of Scotland’s European campaign, combined with McGregor’s injury issues, has sparked discussions about his future commitments, questioning his ability to maintain peak performance for both club and country at this stage of his career.

Scott Brown, McGregor’s predecessor as Celtic captain, retired from international duty at the age of 31, only to make a brief return before permanently stepping away in February 2018. Brown’s retirement decision offers insight into the emotional struggle of turning down national team call-ups, a dilemma McGregor may soon face.

Brown believes McGregor’s professionalism and physical conditioning suggest he still has much to offer in a Scotland shirt. Seeing veteran players like Luka Modric excelling at the Euros at 38 fuels McGregor’s ambition to continue performing at the highest level for years to come.

Expressions of duty and the desire to qualify for the World Cup are powerful motivation for McGregor. Brown anticipates McGregor leading Scotland’s midfield for the foreseeable future, battling the inevitable fear that his playing days may soon draw to a close.

‘You were watching the games in the house thinking, “ach, I should really be there, I can still play but it might kill me later on,”‘ said Brown, reflecting on his own return to the Scotland setup. ‘You sit around the house going, “for f@ck’s sake Scott, I have two months till the end of the season, maybe I should have just stayed at Aberdeen.'”

Brown acknowledges that McGregor’s incessant drive may necessitate intervention from his managers to ensure his workload is managed effectively. Both national team coach Steve Clarke and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will likely consider the balance between utilizing McGregor’s exceptional talents and protecting his long-term well-being.

As McGregor continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to training and conditioning, Brown is confident that his former teammate will maintain peak performance well into his late thirties, mirroring the longevity of football icons such as Ronaldo and Modric.