‘The Celtic captain’ Callum McGregor was outstanding in Scotland’s midweek draw with Switzerland in Cologne.
That 1-1 draw set up the Scots for what is effectively a cup final against Hungary tomorrow evening in Stuttgart with both nations looking for a win that should take them through to the knockout stages.
A draw is going to be a result that suits neither side so we should be in for an eventful match with both Scotland and Hungary likely to throw caution to the wind the longer the game goes on with the scoreline level.
“Over the next few days everybody will be buzzing,” McGregor said after the draw with Switzerland, as reported by Irish Examiner.
“We just need to stay calm and recover. We have two days of recovery and then we can plan our way into the game, stay calm, and when we arrive everyone will be desperate for us to get through. We are the same, but we have to bring a level or performance that matches that ambition.
“It can’t just be constant running, running, running; you have to control the game as well. We have to do a lot right on Sunday. Hungary have been good. Their two games have been tight. A physical side but they can play as well.
“We have to recover and bring the same energy level and the same tempo and the same aggression as we did against Switzerland.”
That performance – and result – was night and day from the dreadful showing – and result – in the Euro 2024 opener against host nation Germany. Callum McGregor accepts that the criticism aimed at the squad was entirely justified.
“That is football and we understand that everybody just wants us to do so well,” the Celtic captain said. “When you get a bad result, perspective goes out the window a little bit. When the draw was made you were probably targeting the last two games.
“It was probably the manner of the defeat the other night which made everyone feel a bit sore and not great. As footballers, you have to deal with that. You have to try to put it right.
“We made the first step of putting it right and we arrive into the game on Sunday now with belief that if we play equally as well, if not better, we give ourselves a right good chance.”
McGregor also stated that he would have been happy to take the position Scotland are in going into the last game against Hungary knowing that a win will make history by taking Scotland through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ever.
“Absolutely,” McGregor said. “I think if you asked anybody, they would.”
If Scotland can get the victory against Hungary tomorrow night, many will be happy to acknowledge that Callum McGregor will have achieved something in a Scotland jersey that Graeme Souness never did. That would be the icing on the cake.
C’Mon Scotland!
🗣️ "We'll be full of energy, the supporters will be full of energy, and we have to try and use that."
Hear from Callum McGregor fresh off the training pitch, as the preparations for Sunday step-up in camp.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/1CKP6pJsIk
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 22, 2024
