GLASS ACT
Callum McGregor can ‘look himself in the mirror’ as Celtic skipper reveals thinking behind quitting Scotland
He's also explained the key to today's win at Easter Road
CALLUM MCGREGOR has no problem looking in the mirror after his stunning decision to quit playing for Scotland.
And that’s because it was made with total conviction.
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Everyone at Celtic’s thrilled they’ve now got their inspirational captain to themselves, especially boss Brendan Rodgers who watched him command the midfield against Hibs with class, grit and insatiable desire.
McGregor was outstanding in the Easter Road triumph which was far more convincing than the scoreline suggests.
He unleashed a sensational left-foot pile-driver from almost 30 yards to put the seal on a devastating first 45 minutes from the champions after the transformed Nicolas Kuhn had netted a third minute opener for his second goal of the season.
Looking on from the stand was national team boss Steve Clarke and No2 John Carver.
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McGregor’s one of the most selfless footballers you’ll find.
But on this occasion he was fully entitled to look after himself.
And afterwards the 31-year-old – 63 caps and two major finals for Scotland – told Sky Sports: “I just felt the time was right.
“I think sometimes you get a gut feeling for things in football and you've got to trust that.
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“I had an amazing international career and a lot of success, managed to get the country back to major tournaments - and now hopefully the guys can go on and continue that success.
“But yeah, just for myself it felt like the right time.
Derek McGregor has the full time reaction as Celtic beat Hibs 2-0 to make it two wins from two
“I think in football as long as you're happy with what you've achieved then you can look yourself in the mirror, know you gave it your all.
"And like I said, that's it.
“It's been the decision now and I just want to concentrate on club football and obviously with a good start to the season we want to just keep doing that as well.”
McGregor was delighted with Celtic’s super-slick performance against Hibs which left their opening push for four-in-a-row at six points out of six, six goals scored, none conceded.
He said: “It was excellent.
“It's always a tough place to come in, especially early on.
“Every team will be full of confidence, full of momentum, trying to start the season well.
"So it's important that we come here and lay down a little marker.
“I thought the first half we were excellent.
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“Second half of the game changes a little bit, but you've got to win those ones as well.
“So, excellent start, two from two and we just keep moving on.
“We spoke about it in the changing room.
"When you start well here, you give yourself a better chance.
“When you don't start so well, the crowd get up and it can be a difficult game.
"So we spoke about that in the changing room.
“And obviously the early goal settles us right down and then we get 2-0 and that kind of kills the game for us.
“We'd like to go 3-4, but on another day we'll try and get that. But clean sheet again, excellent, good start for us.”
On his spectacular goal and Kuhn’s assist, McGregor said: “Nick's got that ability to draw players towards him and then when he lays it off, the angle was there to shoot.
“If you get it on target you've always got a chance.
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“So it's nice to see it go in the back of the net.”
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