NAME BLAME
Rangers hero Souness claims he FORGOT Callum McGregor’s name as he defends ‘Celtic captain’ comment from live TV blast
The Ibrox hero has given the midfielder some praise
GRAEME SOUNESS has never been too well-liked in the East End of Glasgow.
But the Rangers legend, who was a player and manager at Ibrox, still manages to ruffle some feathers among the Celtic support, despite leaving the club over three decades ago.
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The Scotland and Liverpool legend is in Germany for punditry duties at Euro 2024 and was in the ITV studio for the Tartan Army's humiliating opener against the hosts on Friday night.
It's hard to pick anyone from Steve Clarke's side who could get pass marks from the 5-1 defeat - but Souness irked many Celtic fans by pointing the finger at their skipper Callum McGregor.
He said the 31-year-old was to blame for Germany's second goal in a stinging review of the midfielder's performance.
But it wasn't just his criticism towards the Celtic hero that had Hoops fans fuming.
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They were particularly furious by the fact Souness didn't name the Scotland star and instead referred to him as "the Celtic captain" in what appeared to be a petty dig at the Scottish champions, according to Parkhead punters on social media.
And one fan even called up the talkSPORT studio this morning to challenge the Ibrox legends on his comments.
However, Souness explained that he meant no malice towards the midfielder and admitted he simply FORGOT McGregor's name when dissecting the goal highlights.
He said: "I can answer that, I couldn't remember his name. But I knew he was captain of Celtic.
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"I was critical of him because if you remember the build up to the goal, he tried to nick it off [Ilkay] Gundogan and Gundogan turned him.
"He should have just been goal side trying to get a challenge in, but he tried to step in front and nick it. Further on in the same attack which led to the goal, he's tried to nick it off Jamal Musiala again.
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"So twice he's tried to nick it instead of just being strong in the challenge and that would've prevented us conceding that goal.
"I have to say, that question can only arise in the west of Scotland.
" I forgot his name, I couldn't remember his name but I knew he was a good little football player and if it's been taken as a slant or criticism, I didn't mean it. I genuinely forgot his name."
Souness, who was named CBE in the King's Birthday Honours list last week, accused McGregor of making two huge mistakes in the lead up to Germany's second goal.
He said at the time: "Gundogan, again, great turn, he slips Havertz in, back to Musiala, wrong foots the Celtic captain yet again, that's two in the same move.
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"He tries to nick it here, Callum McGregor, and he gets back in, he tries to nick it again – just stay goalside and stop the effort on your goal."
McGregor was well-aware of the criticism aimed towards him and said he will try to prove his doubters wrong against Switzerland and Hungary.
Asked if he takes comments from pundits on board to fuel him, McGregor nodded and said: “Yes, you do.
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“I think if anyone has a pop at you, you take it personally and you try and prove them wrong.”
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