Callum McGregor’s ‘top drawer’ performance in Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualification triumph over Serbia left Premier League legend Martin Keown raving about the Celtic midfielder, while speaking to talkSPORT (13 November, 10.30am).
Steve Clarke might have wondered whether McGregor and Ryan Christie were up to the task ahead of Scotland’s biggest game in recent history.
The Celtic stars have endured a miserable couple of weeks at club level after all. And it is only a week since they were left humiliated by a 4-1 home defeat to a second-string Sparta Prague side in the Europa League.
But Clarke needn’t have worried.
When Scotland needed them, both McGregor and Christie stepped up in style as Scotland qualified for a major tournament for the first time this century.
Christie scored the opener with a brilliant left-footed effort while McGregor was a rampaging bull in midfield, pressing, harrying and harassing Serbia’s play-makers while giving the Scots a reliable outball in possession.
“It was interesting watching Scotland taking the game to Serbia,” former Arsenal defender Keown said.
“That goal (Christie) scores…such good quality! I thought McGregor was top drawer, you need someone to hold onto the ball at times.”
Scotland’s hopes appeared to have gone up in smoke when Luka Jovic headed home a Serbia equaliser with seconds of normal time remaining.
But David Marshall’s heroics in the resulting penalty shoot-out mean there will be three Home Nations at the Euros next summer.
Targetman Lyndon Dykes and centre-half Declan Gallagher did their hopes of a starting place at the tournament no harm either, with superb displays at either end of the pitch.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
