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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Callum McGregor reflects on Celtic injury frustration and battle to make Euro 2024

Bullish Callum McGregor has insisted he will "put himself through anything" to guarantee success for club and country. 

The 30-year-old midfielder battled back from an Achilles injury to play a pivotal role in Celtic's Scottish Premiership title run-in after it was initially feared the Scotland star could be a long term absentee and even miss the Euros when he endured the set-back against Dundee at the end of February.

His quick-fire return to action following just a 38 day lay-off showed McGregor's eagerness to play football and win trophies, and he reckons his strength of "will" was crucial to his speedy recovery.

"The injury one was bad timing, difficult injury to manage as well," the Hoops skipper revealed.

"When we got the scan, it was bad news, it was pretty much season over but with determination and everything that there was still to play for and obviously having an eye on [Euro 2024] as well, sometimes the mind can do crazy things for you and will you back to a point when you can get yourself back fit.

"I'm willing to put myself through anything for the team to get success and that's just the way that I am. I'm so glad that it turned out the way it did. In football, fortune favours the brave as well a little bit."

McGregor's return to action earlier than anticipated and helped Celtic clinch a domestic double. While he took his Scotland cap tally to 60 after featuring in warm-up friendly clashes against Gibraltar and Finland last week. 

He is now almost a certain starter in Steve Clarke's starting XI when Scotland face Germany in Munich on Friday. 

"I managed to get myself back fit and [Celtic] won the two trophies that were on offer at the end and I've managed to get myself here as well so it's ended well," he told BBC Scotland.

"I was desperate and be part of [Euro 2024] as well.

"We want to not only get to tournaments but we want to take part and feel like we belong here. It's something that we need to enjoy and embrace and I'm sure we will.

"Hopefully, we are better off [than Euro 2020] and hopefully that'll show in the games as well."

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