Callum McGregor is used to constant success at Celtic.
But last Friday, for Scotland’s Euro 2024 opener, the Celtic captain found himself experiencing a thrashing at the hands of Germany after an off-colour performance like never before.
Before the game, Steve Clarke’s side were fully aware that they had a big task on their hands when the world was watching them play the first game of Euro 2024.
Could Scotland cause an upset here? Were the Germans going to falter at yet another major tournament?
All of that was put to bed within ten minutes when Florian Wirtz opened the scoring and the night went from bad to worse to an absolute disaster for all associated with Scotland.
Callum McGregor isn’t just used to being one of the main men at Celtic, but he always finds himself playing the entire 90 minutes.
But, just after the hour mark, Clarke subbed off the 31-year-old and now there are calls for McGregor to be dropped for Scotland’s second game against Switzerland on Wednesday because he ‘shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad’.
John McGinn was also part of that same midfield that conceded five and his brother, Stephen McGinn, made it clear that he would ‘never drop’ the Celtic man if it was up to him, as he told Go Radio.
The recently-retired midfielder added that McGregor is ‘too important’ for Scotland and he did highlight the fact that he had injury issues towards the back end of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
Should Scotland drop Callum McGregor for Euro 2024 clash against Switzerland?
“I would never drop Callum McGregor out of the Scotland team if he is fully fit,” said McGinn. “We understand and we are all aware that, in the final three or four months of the season, Callum McGregor was struggling with an injury.
“We spoke earlier about three games in such a short space of time. I know he got taken off the other night. But I can’t see any way Steve Clarke drops Callum McGregor. I think he is too important.
“Part of the performance not being up to scratch the other night is not being able to get McGregor on the ball.”
Will Billy Gilmour start for Scotland?
The Brighton star was on the bench for the Germany game and many felt that he should have started.
Many are expecting Gilmour to come back into the XI against the Swiss, it’s just a case of who drops out.
READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers faces battle to keep hold of key Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers
Scott McTominay and McGinn are the goalscorers from midfield and need to be pushed as high up as possible if you want to get the best out of them.
The Premier League duo will surely keep their places, so it does leave McGregor in danger of missing out, but there is also the scenario of Ryan Christie getting benched.
Either way, Scotland don’t want to become the first team booted out and suffer a humiliating exit because Euro 2020 didn’t exactly go well for them, either.
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