Callum McGregor spoke to the media ahead of Scotland’s friendly match against England at Hampden Park and revealed the intense rivalry is very similar to Celtic v theRangers in Scottish football. The Celtic captain was speaking ahead of the 150th anniversary of both international sides facing off against each other this week in commemoration of that historical day.

Scotland Training Session – Tuesday 5th September Scotland s Callum McGregor during a training session at Lesser Hampden, Photo Andrew Milligan

Many times throughout the years since its inception, Soctland and England have thrown up some very intriguing and highly charged fixtures in various capacities. Never really a friendly match between the two, the clash is famous the world over and is seen as the ultimate international rivalry.

Despite there being no Home Internationals anymore, the two have met on occasion in Euros Qualifiying and World Cup Qualifiying too down the years. Our most recent came at Euro 2020 – although it was delayed a year due to Covid-19 – and that played out as a 0-0 at Wembley Stadium, that Scotland could and probably should have won.

Scotland Training Session – Monday September 11th Scotlands John McGinn left, Andrew Robertson and Callum McGregor during a training session at Lesser Hampden, on Monday September 11, 2023. Photo Robert Perry

The game was intense as ever and had a real club feel to it – with both teams determined not to lose to one another and the atmosphere from the stands transferred onto the pitch at times, with many nippy challenges happening all across the pitch. It certainly felt like a club-level rivalry that night and tomorrow should be no different.

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McGregor was asked about this and agreed that the nearest comparator was the Celtic v theRangers clash in domestic football in Scotland. It’s another historical clash that neither team wants to lose and if you are on the receiving end of a defeat, you don’t want to hear about it for weeks afterwards. The bragging rights alone are worthwhile which makes it all the more sweeter if you win – just as Callum and his teammates did at Ibrox last weekend. Apologies for the OF reference in the link below.

🗣️ Callum McGregor in Old Firm comparison as he bids for Scotland success over old rivals England

Will Scotland overcome Gareth Southgate’s side at Hampden?#Scotland I #England I #Football pic.twitter.com/68tk8ZJJn8

— PLZ Soccer (@PLZSoccer) September 11, 2023

Paul Gillespie