“‘Do I Regret It?’ – Callum McGregor’s Powerful Response on Missing the World Cup Has Scotland Debating His Legacy After His Early Retirement from International Duties”

As Scotland’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup gather momentum, one familiar face remains absent from Steve Clarke’s squad. While excitement continues to build among supporters dreaming of a successful campaign on football’s biggest stage, the conversation surrounding former Scotland midfielder Callum McGregor has once again intensified.

On Saturday morning, the Celtic captain attended a routine training session at the club’s Lennoxtown training complex. Before joining his teammates on the pitch, McGregor participated in a brief media session where he faced questions that many Scottish football fans have been asking ever since he announced his retirement from international football following Euro 2024.

The 32-year-old, who earned 63 caps for Scotland and played a pivotal role in the nation’s recent resurgence under Steve Clarke, was asked directly how it feels to watch Scotland prepare for a World Cup without him, especially given that the tournament represents the dream of virtually every international footballer.

McGregor’s response was calm, honest, and reflective.

“It’s obviously a special moment for the country,” he said. “Every player dreams of playing at a World Cup, and when you’ve represented your country as many times as I have, of course you understand what an occasion it is.”

The Celtic captain was then asked the question that has fueled debate across Scotland ever since his retirement announcement: does he regret stepping away from international football when he did?

His answer was emphatic.

“No, I don’t regret it,” McGregor replied.

“When I made the decision, it wasn’t something I did overnight. It was something I had thought about for a long time. I had a gut feeling that it was the right time. The demands on players are bigger than ever, and I felt reducing the workload would allow me to focus more on Celtic and continue performing at the level I expect from myself.”

His comments immediately sparked discussion among supporters, many of whom have wondered whether Scotland’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup may have caused the midfielder to reconsider his decision.

However, McGregor insisted that his feelings have not changed.

“I understand why people ask the question now that Scotland are heading to a World Cup,” he continued. “But I made the choice for the right reasons. It wasn’t about walking away from Scotland because I didn’t care. Quite the opposite. I cared deeply, and that’s why I wanted to make the decision while I still felt it was the right one.”

The midfielder also moved to dismiss suggestions that age played a significant role in his retirement.

“A lot of people talk about age, but that wasn’t really the issue,” McGregor explained.

“You only have to look at someone like Andy Robertson. Andy is around the same age as me and he’s still a massive part of the Scotland squad. He’s performing at a top level and leading the team brilliantly. So age wasn’t the deciding factor.”

Instead, McGregor revealed that his decision was primarily about managing the physical and mental demands of modern football, particularly while carrying the responsibilities of captaining Celtic through domestic and European campaigns.

“Sometimes you just have a feeling,” he said. “You weigh everything up and you trust your instincts. My gut feeling told me it was the right moment to step away and give my full focus to Celtic.”

Despite standing by his decision, McGregor admitted there would always be an emotional connection to the national team.

In perhaps the most eye-catching moment of the interview, he revealed that if circumstances ever changed and he was presented with one final opportunity to represent Scotland, he would not hesitate.

“If someone asked whether I’d accept one last chance to play for Scotland, then of course I would,” he said with a smile.

“It was one of the greatest honours of my career. Wearing the Scotland shirt means everything to any player who gets the opportunity.”

Those comments are likely to fuel even more discussion among supporters, many of whom still believe the experienced midfielder could offer plenty to the national side.

For now, though, McGregor remains firmly focused on Celtic while preparing to watch Scotland’s World Cup journey as a fan rather than a participant.

Before ending the interview, he delivered a heartfelt message to Steve Clarke’s squad as they prepare for the biggest tournament of their careers.

“I’ll be supporting them with all my heart,” he said.

“I know how hard the players and staff have worked to get there. They’ve earned this opportunity and I hope they go and enjoy every second of it. The whole country will be behind them, and I’ll be one of those supporters cheering them on.”

Whether fans agree with his decision or not, McGregor’s comments have once again highlighted the respect he continues to hold for Scotland. As the nation counts down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, debate over his retirement may continue, but one thing remains certain: Callum McGregor’s contribution to Scottish football has left a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten anytime soon.