Callum McGregor refuses to be drawn into talk of Scotland World Cup recall

Celtic captain Callum McGregor refuses to be drawn on the prospect of returning to the Scotland fold for next summer’s World Cup.

The 32-year-old retired from international duty after Euro 2024 with 63 caps to his name in order to focus on being as fresh as possible for his club.

Asked if he would have any interest in being considered for a Scotland recall for the global showpiece, McGregor said: “To be honest, it’s not something I’ve thought of.

“Obviously the guys have done amazing to qualify in the last international break. I’ve a lot of good team-mates and good friends in there, so I was so happy for them.

“And for me, I just want to concentrate on the job I’ve got here (at Celtic). I don’t want to get drawn into anything like that, I’ve got a big, big job here, change of manager soon probably, so I’ll just keep trying to play well and help the team and then whatever will be, will be.”

McGregor has been an integral figure in Celtic’s resurgence under caretaker boss Martin O’Neill, who will continue in charge for Wednesday’s visit of Dundee after paperwork issues delayed the appointment of Wilfried Nancy.

The Hoops were eight points adrift of Hearts when Brendan Rodgers resigned five weeks ago after a 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle but they are now within two points of the Jambos with a game in hand after winning each of their last four league games, including Sunday’s hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Hibernian.

“Ultimately, the performances and the results have picked up since then (the Hearts defeat), but it was really early on, we still had so much football to be played,” said McGregor.

“I think I said that that day as well, we were only nine games in, we’re now only 13 games in, so there’s still a lot of football, there’s still a lot that can go right or can go wrong.”

O’Neill thought he would be stepping aside after Sunday’s game at Easter Road but was then asked on Saturday to stay on a while longer due to the red-tape issues surrounding Nancy.

All going to plan, the Frenchman’s first three games will be a top-of-the-table showdown at home to Hearts on Sunday, a Europa League visit from Roma and a Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren.

“That’s Celtic for you, isn’t it? Every week’s a big week,” said McGregor. “It doesn’t matter when you come in, you play 60-odd games (a season), you have to win them all. That is the pressure of this club.

“And whenever the manager’s first game is, they’ll be under pressure to win as well.”