Brendan Rodgers praised Callum McGregor after his stunning goal at Easter Road yesterday afternoon to secure the points for the Champions in a 2-0 victory.

Then the Celtic manager admitted that he feels for Scotland boss Steve Clarke, who was at the game, as he’s lost one of his top players from his Scotland squad after Calmac decided to call time on his international career.

“Cal was brilliant,” Brendan said after the match, as reported by Glasgow Times. “That’s what happens when you retire from Scotland! Hopefully there are many more goals to come. I’ve managed him in so many games, over the two spells here now. I know his quality. I know his game inside out.

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“It doesn’t surprise me. He’s scored so many goals for me, especially in the first spell, then a few this spell. He was 25 to 30 yards out, it was a wonderful strike. That’s what you need in your team and he possesses quality.

"Sheer class"

What a strike from Callum McGregor 🚀👏#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/pglgusisnC

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) August 12, 2024

“You have to do that (track back) as well. I think any successful team has the spirit and the energy. That’s what you want your players to be able to do and he typifies that so well. But everyone has to do it, not just Cal.

“I think today, when you keep clean sheets in a game, it means everyone’s working, everyone’s together, everyone’s synchronised. But when it’s led by your captain, it’s a great example.”

The Celtic manager though admitted that Steve Clarke’s loss is his gain as Rodgers admitted that he has plenty of sympathy for the Scotland manager who last week lost one of his most important players in recent years from his Scotland squad.

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“I do feel for Steve because he’s a quality player. But from a Celtic perspective, for longevity, for him, his career, his recovery. There’s so many games now, it’s a 12-month season.

“For him to get these little periods of recovery, to recover and rest, will be important for him. He got no winter break this year either. He’s such an intense player for me on and off the pitch. Those little windows where you can give him that breather will do him the word of good.

“He’s played so many games, hasn’t he? I think when I give Cal a few days off on international breaks, he’ll relish it. I think he’s getting into that stage of his career.”