Steve Clarke put the Celtic captain Callum McGregor up to speak to the media yesterday, a sure sign that he’ll be starting this evening against Austria in the third World Cup qualifier in a week. A 2-0 defeat against group leaders and top seeds Denmark in Copenhagen was insignificant in the scheme of things as Scotland battle Austria and Israel for the play-up route to the World Cup Finals.
That defeat in Copenhagen – where McGregor started – was followed by a much more significant 1-0 win over Moldova at Hampden on Saturday evening, and for that game the Celtic captain was initially rested but came on in the latter stages to ensure that that the points were safely in the bag for Scotland. A late equaliser could ova killed Scotland’s chances stone dead.
While that game was hard to watch, Israel v Austria was entirely different, swinging both ways in terms of attacking football, with the visitors piling on early pressure only to be hit with devastating counter attacking football. Seven goals were shared with the home side winning 5-2, and that leaves Austria absolutely desperate for a win against Scotland this evening.
It should be quite a game, as Callum McGregor agrees. “This is the biggest fixture. We need to get something out of the game. That’s the full focus of the players,” the Celtic captain told the media at the Scottish FA’s media conference, video link is below.
“We are running out of games now in terms of getting towards the end of the group. We hope we go to Austria and deliver a top performance and get something out of the game. Hopefully we can make a big statement. Firstly, we want to win, and three points would be massive for us.
“But on the other hand, if we get a point then it’s not the worst result. With four games to go you would be in a decent position. So first and foremost, it’s a must not lose game. And if you get the win, it’s a great result that puts us in a fantastic position,” Calmac stated.
The 28 year old Celtic captain understands that the clock is ticking for his generation of Scotland stars if they are to ever play at a World Cup finals and this is probably their best, last chance. “You get older and you realise that tournaments are hard to get to, hard to play in,” McGregor noted. “When you are younger you say, ‘There’s the next one, and then the next one’.
“I’ve heard that story so many times. Even when I was younger I heard it from the experienced guys, who were the same. You keep saying, ‘Next one’, and then suddenly you are running out of time.
“That knowledge makes you appreciate the opportunity that you have now a bit more. Playing in the Euros in the summer gave everyone a taste of it. We are desperate to get there again — and hopefully get to a World Cup as well.”
A big night for Scotland in our World Cup Group F campaign as Steve Clarke’s side takes on Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and the game is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 19:00. Watch Callum McGregor’s Media Conference below…
