Scotland’s opening Euro 2024 group game defeat by Germany is one that is still hurting Steve Clarke and the Celtic contingent of the Scotland squad.
Callum McGregor and Anthony Ralston both played in the game as the quality of the Germans shone through in the 5-1 defeat in Munich.
The Celtic captain was the strange focus of criticism from former Rangers manager, Graeme Souness, immediately after the match which McGregor has vowed to use as motivation to prove his doubters wrong.
With Switzerland up next, Scotland must secure a positive result to keep their dream of progressing from the group stages alive and Pat Nevin has backed the Celtic skipper to start against the Swiss.
Clarke will ‘really need’ to start McGregor vs Switzerland
As well as admitting that Scotland has an issue on Ralston’s side of the defence, Nevin believes that if Scotland are to beat the Swiss, the Celtic captain must start the crucial Group A match.
Nevin said [Football Daily], “He [Steve Clarke] will look at the game again. He will really reconsider the decisions he has made. He has got limited options in certain areas.
“So what are you going to do in the next game? Because I’m making you a promise now, the Swiss will be putting somebody out there [left flank] to try and get something out of that position as well.
“I’m also willing to put a few quid on the fact that Scotland’s midfield in the next game will be Gilmour and it will be McGregor because you need that ball, you really need it.”
Callum McGregor has been front and centre of all of Scotland’s recent successes under Steve Clarke.
The Dark Blues boss started the Celtic captain in all but one of Scotland’s qualification games for both the Euro 2020 and 2024 campaigns.
His big-game experience with Celtic on the domestic scene and in the Champions League will be absolutely crucial for Scotland on Wednesday night and I, for one, cannot wait for McGregor to put in a performance that will make Souness eat his post-Germany defeat words.