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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Former Celtic star fears fan wrath as he delivers Callum McGregor poser

Steven Pressley has presented the case for leaving Callum McGregor out of Scotland's showdown with Serbia.

The Celtic midfielder has been a regular fixture in Steve Clarke's side and a likely start for the Euro 2020 play off final in Belgrade.

But former Parkhead defender Pressley believes it's worth debating whether Stuart Armstrong is a better option for this particular occasion.

He cited Armstrong's running power and eye for goal as reason to consider starting him over McGregor.

"Just to make it clear to all the Celtic supporters out there, I am a huge fan of McGregor!" Pressley told BBC Sportsound.

(Alan Harvey/SNS Group)

He was then ribbed by co-pundit James McFadden who replied: "Just not in the biggest game in the last 20 years?"

But Pressley, laughing as he went, continued: "Wait a sec, Faddy!  I'm not saying 'don't play him', but here is the debate.

"It's a game where, in my opinion, Serbia will have a lot of ball. We'll be asked to defend.

"One of the most important aspects of our team is the ability to defend and then counter with speed.

"That is a huge part of it and I don't think that is McGregor's strength.

"McGregor is a really good player when you're dominating the ball, because that is his strength.

(PA)

"But with a player like Armstrong, he's really good defensively, out of possession and also exceptional at breaking at speed.

"He has the ability to run in behind and score goals. That's the one area of debate, in my opinion.

"It's not that I don't think McGregor's a really good player, I just think this particular game might suit a different type of player in that position."

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