Rival manager gives special praise to Celtic player

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 27: Ross County manager Malky MacKay is seen during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Ross County FC at on August 27, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 27: Ross County manager Malky MacKay is seen during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Ross County FC at on August 27, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Malky Mackay is currently the manager of Ross County and is looking to avoid relegation from the Premiership. In the past, he has been the caretaker boss of the Scotland national team though and one of the Celtic players that he gave their international debut to has flourished into one of the best in the country. And the coach had some special praise for him.

It was during Mackay’s run as the caretaker manager of the Scotland national team that Callum McGregor made his debut in a friendly game against the Netherlands. It would be safe to say that the midfielder has grown from strength to strength since then.

Not only has he been one of the best players in the Scottish league for Celtic and become the club’s captain. But he has established himself as one of the stalwarts for the national team as well.

His performance against Spain earned McGregor a lot plaudits, as Scotland scripted a famous 2-0 win over the European giants at Hampden Park. On the night, the Celtic midfielder looked like he would not look out of place in a Real Madrid or Barcelona jersey. He was that good.

Rival manager gives special praise to Celtic player

Mackay had some special praise for McGregor. As reported by The Celtic Way, the Ross County manager said while speaking to Sky Sports:

"“They have all really flourished and some of them are on 30 plus caps, Callum is on 50.“(The way he has developed) I think shows the character of the person, there was point that he had difficulty early on in his Celtic career, going out on loan and wondering where his career was going to go.“I think you have someone who has been able to pick themselves up after blows and injuries and has gotten himself into the team and grown from strength to strength.“He is a great ambassador for Scotland and Celtic and is a high talent. With five minutes to go the other night he was teasing the Spain players going up the line at the end.“What we have is a big character and personality playing for Scotland and unfortunately we are playing against him on Sunday.”"

McGregor definitely put in a special performance against Spain. But now, it is time to return to club duty.

Celtic’s next game is in the Premiership away against Mackay’s Ross County. And at this stage of the season, every match is a must win for the Hoops. With nine games to go, they are nine points ahead of the Rangers. And McGregor will surely be looking to lift his second straight league title as the captain of the club.