Scotland Men's Football Team

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Callum McGregor says his full focus is on Celtic after calling time on his international career.

Seven years after his debut, the midfielder announced his Scotland retirement last week, and he insists it was the right decision for him personally.

In his first outing since the decision, McGregor scored a wonderful long-range goal as Celtic comfortably beat Hibs at Easter Road as a reminder of his enduring quality.

"It felt like the time was right," the 31-year-old said.

"Sometimes you get a gut feeling for things in football and you have got to trust that.

"I had an amazing international career and lot of success. We managed to get the country back to major tournaments and now hopefully the guys can go on and continue that success. But just for myself it felt like the right time.

"In football as long as you’re happy with what you have achieved, then you can look yourself in the mirror and know you gave it your all.

"That’s been the decision now and I just want to concentrate on club football. We have had a good start to the season and we want to just keep doing that as well."

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Callum McGregor leaves big boots to fill in the Scotland midfield after his international retirement, according to the Celtic captain's former Scotland team-mate Stephen O'Donnell.

McGregor announced decision after seven years in the Scotland set-up, and O'Donnell praised the influence he has had on the international stage.

"As a fan I'm disappointed that he's retired," O'Donnell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's a top player, for the caps he's had, for the consistency he shows over his full career to be honest. But the composure he has and being key in Steve Clarke's team.

"It's a team that's reached the European group stages which is the first time it's happened in 20-odd years. He was a main part of that, an integral part, so it'll be big miss for Scotland.

"Playing with him, he was ever-present. He was always there in training. You never saw him moaning. I know he had an injury this last season but other than that I can't think of many times he was missing."

We asked for your thoughts after Callum McGregor retired from international football.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Danny: A leader and a fantastic player who always kept his head up. He was the glue of the team for a good few years. Shame the Euros went the way they did but a fantastic player nonetheless.

Jim: It’s too soon to retire for Scotland for probably the best player we have at the moment. He always gives 110%.

Iain: McGregor has given Scotland good service and, although still relatively young, has constantly played over 60 games a season and is entitled to have a bit of a rest.

Neil: The right decision from him for a change, unlike when he's in possession.

David: There should be a lot more of them retiring with McGregor. Not one of them played well in the three games at the Euros and the manager too, absolute shambles. I feel absolutely sorry for that fantastic support.

Iain: In my opinion it could be good for everyone. Scotland have a more than adequate replacement in Lewis Ferguson who was already knocking on the door and had it not been for injury would have given a selection headache at the Euros. Brendan Rogers has already outlined the benefit for Celtic and if it is what McGregor has identified to extend his career, give him an extra edge or give him more time with his family it can only be good for him.

David: Top professional and Mr Reliable. He will be a miss, even just his professionalism. It would have been nice for him to stay but at least we are stacked in midfield.

Turkish club Galatasaray are weighing-up a deal for Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who has two years to run on his Liverpool contract. (Aspor - via Daily Record, external)

Napoli are confident they can close a deal with Brighton for Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour in a few days. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Bristol City and Scotland striker Tommy Conway is in advanced talks with Middlesbrough about a four-year deal, although there is interest from Championship rivals and the Premier League too. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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Former Scotland skipper Scott Brown says Celtic's Callum McGregor has made the "hardest decision in the world" by calling time on his international career.

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Callum McGregor's Scotland retirement will prolong his career and can only benefit Celtic, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

McGregor, 31, played 63 times for his country after making his debut in 2017, and helped Scotland qualify for the last two Euros under Steve Clarke.

Rodgers says McGregor's now-reduced calendar will allow the midfielder to stay fresh throughout the season and continue to play at a high level for years to come.

"I'd obviously spoken to Callum on that and was aware of his intentions," Rodgers said.

"From a selfish perspective, for Celtic it's really good news because he gets the chance to recover - you all know the amount of games he plays.

"This will give him opportunities to have a breather because he's really intense. That's what I love about him, his appetite to improve. He never has a day off ever."

Rodgers was quick to praise McGregor's contribution on the international stage over the last seven years.

"He's been absolutely pivotal to [Scotland's] performance levels and qualifying for the tournaments they have," the Northern Irishman added.

"He is probably now looking at this next part of his career and he knows he will need to look after his body.

"A fantastic career he's had for his country, he can be very proud of that, and now going into the next part of his career, he has all his focus on Celtic."

Callum McGregor - a mainstay of the Scotland midfield under Steve Clarke - has called time on his international career after 63 caps.

How big a loss will the Celtic captain be to Clarke's side?

Has he made right call, or do you think it is too soon for the 31-year-old to withdraw from Scotland duty?

Have your say on McGregor's Scotland retirement here., external

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Steve Clarke has paid tribute to "coach's dream" Callum McGregor following the midfielder's international retirement.

Celtic captain McGregor, 31, represented the national team 63 times, scoring three goals, and playing at back-to-back European Championships.

"Callum’s consistency of performance and leadership qualities have been a real catalyst in the team’s return to major tournaments," said Scotland head coach Clarke.

"He has been a driving force in the middle of the park and in many ways is a coach’s dream: he is low maintenance, leads by example and sets the highest standards every day in training and in matches.

"That professionalism and dedication has been a huge influence in our squad. We had a very good chat and while I am disappointed to lose Callum’s qualities I can understand the rationale behind his decision.

"He will be missed by his team-mates, the coaches, the backroom staff and, of course, the fans. I would like to thank him for all that he has contributed and helped us achieve."

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor has described his 63-cap Scotland career as a "huge honour" after retiring from international football.

The 31-year-old made his debut against the Netherlands in 2017 and bows out having played at two major tournaments - Euro 2020 and 2024.

McGregor, who started all three games in Germany at this summer's finals, said: "I have made a decision which was very difficult, of course, but a decision which I feel is the right one at the right time.

"It was very important I spoke to [Scotland manager] Steve [Clarke] and I did that this week to make him aware of my intentions. As I said to Steve, I just felt the time is right for me to move on from international football.

"It has been a huge honour to achieve 63 caps for my country, as appearing just once would have been a dream come true, so to achieve 63 and be inducted into the Roll of Honour at 50 caps is something I could only have dreamed of as a young kid."

McGregor's goal against Croatia at Hampden in June 2021 made him the first Scotland men's player to score at a major tournament in 23 years.

His two other Scotland goals came against Ukraine in a World Cup play-off and against Georgia during the successful Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

"Playing for Scotland always meant so much to me and reaching two major tournaments will always be a source of real pride, and scoring at Hampden in the Euros in front of our fantastic supporters will always be a special highlight for me," added the midfielder.

"Of course, like many others I wish we could have gone further in these competitions but, nonetheless, it has been a privilege to have played for my country on such a stage and to have represented my country for such a long period."

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Scotland centre-half Scott McKenna has joined La Liga side Las Palmas on a three-year deal.

McKenna, 27, left Nottingham Forest this summer following the expiry of his contract and now makes the move to Gran Canaria.

The former Aberdeen defender becomes the second Scotland international to sign for Las Palmas this summer after striker Oli McBurnie.

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A little extra fire power for Steve Clarke's profligate Scots? I see you sit up...

Harvey Barnes is the name doing the rounds... again.

Yep, we've been here before.

Barnes qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandparents, but has been capped once by England - in a 2020 friendly versus Wales - though he was rumoured to be a potential call-up for this summer's Euros.

Of course, that didn't happen, though the hen in the squad announcement video is still on some of our minds.

So too is Barnes recent comments. Speaking to The Athletic, Barnes admitted "there's been one or two conversations" regarding the switch of allegiance.

Ryan Cryle, joint sports editor of the Press and Journal and Evening Express, told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast that Barnes' indecision is a "turn off."

"He's probably thinking 'I could still get called up for England' so you don't want to commit yourself too much. But at the same time, that lack of ‘I really want to play for Scotland, call me up Steve Clarke’ is a little bit of a turn off for me.

"It feels like in those American sitcoms... if we get to 30 and we're not married, we can marry each other because we haven't found anyone else. It's a little bit like that.

"But Harvey Barnes has got 40 Premier League goals, and if we've seen anything from Scotland over the last few years, it's that up-front we need more goals in the team. We need players that are capable of scoring regularly.

"There's two sides to it for me. I'm not quite sure, because you want players to be desperate to pull on the international shirt and represent their country."

Some are less conflicted by the situation, however.

And former Scotland international Cammy Bell is one of them.

He's eager to bring in the Newcastle United attacker as soon as possible.

"Any £40m player, bring them to Scotland, get them in the squad," he gushed.

"I just think he would bring so much to the Scotland squad, something we've not got. He's a goalscorer, with a huge amount of assists as well, at the top level of football.

"Bring me a £40m player and put him in the Scotland squad, no problem."

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here

Fulham remain in contact with Manchester United over a potential deal for 27-year-old Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay. (Sky Sports), external

Liverpool's Scotland Under-21 winger Ben Doak, 18, will be allowed to leave Anfield on loan this summer. (Football Scotland), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Ex-Scotland player Dominic Matteo says Leeds United youngster Harry Gray, 15, could be a future star for his former national team. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Scotland defender Scott McKenna has been linked with a move to UD Las Palmas, according to Spanish newspaper La Provincia, external.

The former Nottingham Forest centre-back could join as a free agent, after the Premier League club announced he would be leaving when his contract expired earlier this season.

McKenna, 27, has spent the first half of 2024 on loan at FC Copenhagen, and featured in all three of Scotland’s games at the Euros in Germany.

He has been linked with moves to both sides of the Old Firm, as well as Hull City, but now could join up with former Scotland teammate Oli McBurnie, who moved to Gran Canaria after he left Sheffield United earlier in the summer.

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Scotland centre-half Ryan Porteous says his dismissal in Scotland's Euro 2024 opener against Germany is "probably the hardest thing I've had to go through personally".

The Watford 25-year-old was shown a straight red card in the opening 45 minutes after a challenge on Ilkay Gundogan, with the game ultimately finishing 5-1.

Speaking publicly for the first time since then, Porteous backs himself to put the sending off - and Scotland's early exit - behind him.

"It was obviously really tough," he told Sky Sports., external "When we were away at the Euros, you couldn’t really think of yourself that much because you’ve still got a pretty big job to do for the team in and around the place.

"You can't be sulking or feeling sorry for yourself. You have to help the boys. I thought I tried to do that to the best I could, but when you leave the camp, it hits you.

"But I have a lot of good people around me and they looked after me well. I feel like I am in a much better place now."

Porteous returned to Easter Road to start in the Watford side that beat Hibs 3-2 in Wednesday's pre-season friendly.

"I wanted to come right back to Watford straight away and get back to work because you are not going to feel better by sulking or feeling sorry for yourself," he added.

"You are going to get back by reacting and I think I've shown I can bounce back from adversity a lot before, so I’m back myself to do that again."

Sheffield United have made Oli McBurnie, who became a free agent in June, another contract offer in a bid to end the Scotland striker’s state of summer limbo after the 28-year-old returned to pre-season training with the Championship club. (The Star), external

Stuart Armstrong could be in line for a Brentford contract after manager Thomas Franks hailed the Scotland midfielder as a "great player" as the 32-year-old arrived on trial with the Premier League club after leaving Southampton. (Herald - subscription), external

Standard Liege are close to completing the signing of 27-year-old Scotland capped centre-half David Bates for £630,000 from Belgian top-flight rivals Mechelen. (The National), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Manchester United place a £30m price tag on Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 27. (Football Insider), external

Scotland midfield man Stuart Armstrong, 32, is on trial with Brentford following his exit from Southampton. (Daily Echo), external

Kenny McLean, 32, wants to remain with Norwich City, despite the Scotland midfielder being linked with Rangers. (Norwich Evening News), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Napoli are preparing a bid for Brighton's Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour, 23. (Telegraph - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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After a season of success at Kilmarnock, is there a growing concern manager Derek McInnes could follow the same path as the last man to guide them into Europe?

It's certainly a fear for fan podcaster Paul Montgomery, who feels he is potentially watching a "re-run" of Steve Clarke's exit.

Having guided the Rugby Park side to a third-placed finish, Clarke left Ayrshire to take the Scotland job.

The former Kilmarnock boss remains in post at Hampden despite a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, and Montgomery hopes that means at least "another couple of seasons" of McInnes.

"McInnes is still ambitious," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "He's a brilliant manager, especially at this level, and I'm sure he'll have already had offers.

"My concern about McInnes in terms of staying with Killie would probably be the Scotland job. It feels like it's a kind of re-run of the Clarke stuff.

"He seems settled, but I'm not naive enough to think he's going to be here for another 10 years. If we get another couple of seasons of stability, then he can go to Scotland or Real Madrid or something like that."

Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell added: "I'm pretty sure he is an ambitious guy and I'm pretty sure he will have one eye on the Scotland job at some point in his managerial career.

"Whether that's within the next two, three, five, 10 years, I don't know. But I don't really see him going to any other club in Scotland."