I know what Callum McGregor's one career regret will be after notable snub by Celtic Marathon Man

Daily Record

2 days ago

Paul Lambert has had his say on one major call by the Parkhead skipper
Callum McGregor has shown no signs of slowing down for Celtic.
The captain of the champions is living life in the fast lane as he gears up for his 12th full season at Parkhead.
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And Paul Lambert has no doubts that the 32-year-old maestro still has plenty of miles left in the tank.
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But when the homegrown hero does eventually reach the end of the road, Lambert fears one regret could linger in the rearview mirror.
McGregor stunned the Tartan Army last summer when he parked his Scotland career after winning 63 caps.
With more than 40 club games clocked in nine straight seasons, the Marathon Man made the decision to prolong his Celtic career.
However, Lambert reckons the Hampden Hall of Famer might regret putting the brakes on his international journey once he hangs up his boots.
The Hoops legend told Record Sport: "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.
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"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.
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"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."
Lambert insists there's no one in Steve Clarke 's ranks who can fill McGregor's boots as a deep-lying playmaker.
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He said: "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.
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"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."
While McGregor may be a big loss for his country, he remains the beating heart of Celtic's winning machine.
The tireless midfielder featured in all but three of the club's gruelling 57-game calendar last term.
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And despite his advancing years, Lambert believes Brendan Rodgers will continue to rely heavily on his talisman.
He said: "I don't think he will begin to manage his minutes. I don't think 32 is an age at all, really.
"The way Callum plays, he reads the game with his brain and doesn't need to take himself out of crazy positions in the middle of the pitch.
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"I don't think Callum will want to be rested and there's not another player at Celtic like him that can play in that role as well as him.
"So 32 is no age to rest somebody and I'm pretty sure that the manager and Callum will understand that."
Lambert - who retired at 35 after winning the Champions League with Dortmund and lifting multiple titles with Celtic - is adamant McGregor can still be a mainstay for seasons to come.
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He said: "Hopefully injury doesn't catch him or anything like that. I think he can definitely play another few years at that level.
"It's like anything - Father Time catches you and decides when you're finished. It's getting your head around that when that day eventually comes.
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"But regarding playing for another few years, definitely. It's important.
"I would say to him, play as long as you can at the highest level and then bow out - because you're a long time out of it.
"I always had it in my head that 35 was enough. I had no regrets.
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"I had played at a really high level, won the biggest thing in the game and won a lot of titles at Celtic.
"I was really happy with how my career had gone. I was fortunate to play with some great teams and play in a World Cup.
"Would I want to play beyond Celtic? No. I wanted to finish at the top of it - and I did that."
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Rodgers has previously described his tactically astute leader as a "coach on the pitch."
And while Lambert wouldn't be surprised to see McGregor in the dugout one day, the ex-Aston Villa and Norwich boss hopes the veteran doesn't rush into management too soon.
He added: "I think the club might have a plan. My advice to him would be not to jump into management right away.
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"You have to go and learn it. It's a different kettle of fish from playing.
"You have to learn the intricacies of management, managing people, dealing with different characters.
"I'd certainly go and learn it, do badges and take your time because it's unforgiving.
"If you jump in too soon, it can really come back and bite you.
"I don't know if he's doing his coaching licences, but he's certainly got a football brain to give knowledge to people - and that's great."