Paul Lambert on Callum McGregor’s possible Scotland ‘hint of regret’

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The Celtic Star

·1 luglio 2025

Paul Lambert on Callum McGregor’s possible Scotland ‘hint of regret’

Paul Lambert knows a thing or two about playing for Celtic at the same time as pulling on a dark blue jersey…

FRANCE – JUNE 10: WM FRANCE 98 Paris St.Denis; BRASILIEN – SCHOTTLAND 2:1 (BRA – SCO); TEAM SCO: hintere Reihe v.lks: Christian DAILLY, Colin CALDERWOOD, Jim LEIGHTON, Colin HENDRY, Craig BURLEY, Gordon DURIE; vorne:Darren JACKSON, Kevin GALLACHER, John COLLINS, Tommy BOYD, Paul LAMBERT (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Bongarts/Getty Images)

He played with pride for Scotland and captained Celtic to the very heights in Seville. So, when he speaks, people rightly listen.

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His recent comments in Daily Record about Callum McGregor’s international retirement were filled with respect, but also a hint of regret—for what might have been. And while that sentiment is understandable, it perhaps misses the bigger picture.

Callum McGregor during a training session at Lesser Hampden, September 11, 2023. Photo Robert Perry

“I understand it. I think he might look back on it and think, maybe I should have played a bit longer for the national team. It’s not until you finish that you think, maybe I should have played more games. He’s still got the energy and the way he plays the game suits him.

“But I understand why he’s done it and thought, well I’m going to play a lot of games for Celtic in the league and Europe. If he looks back and thinks he could’ve played in another tournament or qualifier, then he might have changed his decision. He could have played longer for the national team – but he knows better.”

Scotland Training Session – Lesser Hampden – Tuesday 5th September Scotland s Callum McGregor during a training session at Lesser Hampden, Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday September 5, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

“Callum would still be a regular for Scotland, I don’t see anybody playing that role as good as him or with that game intelligence. I don’t see a sitter. I don’t think Scott McTominay can do it. Billy Gilmour’s probably the closest one that can, but I don’t see anybody else playing that role.”

Lambert says McGregor “might look back on it and think, maybe I should have played a bit longer for the national team.” But it’s equally likely that when Callum finally hangs up his boots, he’ll be thankful he made the tough decision—because that sacrifice could be the very thing that allows him to captain Celtic well into his mid-30s, and maybe even beyond.

There is very little chance Callum McGregor retired from Scotland duty on a whim, I doubt that very much. This is a man who loves the game of football as much as the club and country he represented. He played 60 games in one season not long ago, and close to it on many other occasions, and kept going when his legs were likely to have been screaming.

20th June 2023; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland: Euro 2024 Qualifier Football, Scotland versus Georgia; Callum McGregor of Scotland points to his team mates

It’s no secret that Callum’s game is built on intelligence and energy, on constant movement and quick decisions. That engine needs refuelling now and then, and truthfully, it’s only natural that after clocking up more than a decade of relentless football, he might start to manage the miles just a wee bit.

What some forget is that Callum wasn’t always a guaranteed pick for Scotland. Despite his clear technical ability and influence at club level, he didn’t receive his first cap until Malky Mackay gave him a shot in 2017. He was already 24. So, if his final tally of caps is fewer than expected that’s not just down to him retiring early. It’s also a reflection of previous Scotland managers who overlooked his quality for far too long.

Callum McGregor is consoled by Scott Bain and Brendan Rodgers. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Lambert says, “I don’t see anybody else playing that role” like Callum can for Scotland. And he’s right. There isn’t a better sitter with his vision, composure, and positional awareness. But what does that say about the role he plays for Celtic? It probably says he remains irreplaceable. He’s the fulcrum of Brendan Rodgers’ side, the metronome, the heartbeat of a team that still dominates Scottish football and no doubt still craves success in Europe.

And if we’re being honest, blunt even, injuries have begun to creep in. Callum’s played through pain, through knocks, through fatigue. Anyone who’s watched him closely over the last couple of seasons has seen the toll begin to show ever so slightly – but slightly is enough. Taking time during international breaks to rest, recover, and prepare for the crucial club fixtures is no small luxury—it could feasibly add two or three more years to his career at the very top, maybe more.

Lambert isn’t wrong to point out how good McGregor still is. He could absolutely still do a job for Scotland. But that’s exactly the point. Callum had to choose between giving everything to his club or spreading himself too thinly. And in choosing Celtic, he’s shown once again what really matters to him, you only had to see him after the Cup Final to recognise that.

Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He’s still got plenty left in the tank, and now, with those few extra international windows to recharge, we might get the very best of Callum McGregor for a while longer.

Is it selfish to say that’s not something to regret, that instead it’s something to celebrate? Maybe, but if it means we get Callum McGregor leading Celtic for longer than would have otherwise been the case, I’m happy he put Celtic first.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Niall J

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