Graeme Souness forgot Callum McGregor's name as Rangers legend defends himself over 'Celtic captain' putdown

Graeme Souness revealed he referred to Callum McGregor as the ‘Celtic captain’ because he couldn’t remember his name when criticising the midfielder following Scotland’s drubbing by Germany in their Euro 2024 opener.

The Rangers legend came in for some stick from Hoops legions for his punditry following the Group A clash but insisted he didn’t mean to disrespect McGregor, as he defended himself on talkSPORT. Souness said: “I couldn't remember his name. But I knew he was captain of Celtic. I have to say, that question can only arise in the west of Scotland. I forgot his name, I couldn't remember his name but I knew he was a good little football player and if it's been taken as a slant or criticism, I didn't mean it. I genuinely forgot his name.

“I was critical of him because if you remember the build up to the goal, he tried to nick it off (Ilkay) Gundogan and Gundogan turned him. He should have just been goal side trying to get a challenge in, but he tried to step in front and nick it. Further on in the same attack which led to the goal, he's tried to nick it off Jamal Musiala again. So twice he's tried to nick it instead of just being strong in the challenge and that would've prevented us conceding that goal.”

Steve Clarke’s side are under serious pressure ahead of their second game against Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday where defeat would almost certainly see them out of the competition. The Swiss are on a high after a 3-1 win over Hungary in their first game.

Asked if he was concerned Scotland finish up pointless, Souness said: “Of course I am. We’ve worked hard to get here and our results were good. We don’t carry much of a goal threat and we’re going into our next game playing against a very good team. They’re not a bunch of cheese eaters and good skiers, this is a good football team and it’s going to be a difficult night. But we have to pick ourselves up, the manager has a big job to get us believing again.

“We never got started. It was always going to be a very difficult night for them, you’re playing the host nation in the opening ceremony so the world is watching and maybe that got to some of the players. When you’re playing in a really big game of football, the first 10/15 minutes can pass you by. You get caught up in the moment. That might have happened to some of the player because they didn’t show their true form.

“It would have been very hard for any of them to wake up the following morning and say ‘I did okay last night’. It was a miserable performance by them. I can’t think of one positive. When you go and play a big game like that where you know you’re going to be up against it then don’t make a mistake in the first 10, 15 minutes.

"Slowly get a foothold in the game and see where it takes you. They didn’t get past 10 minutes without conceding a goal, never got a foothold in the game or looked threatening. The possession stats would tell you that. We are what we are right now. We did marvellous well to qualify but we’re not at Germany’s level by a country mile.

“The thing that summed up for me in one brief moment just before half time was Ryan Porteous fouling Gundogan for the penalty and a dangerous challenge which was definitely a red card. That was a Watford player fouling a Barcelona player. That summed up the whole night for us. Another level.

“It’s hard to make a judgement on how good Germany are. They’re either a good team or a very good team but we won’t know until the play someone who can threaten their goal. It’s a difficult job for Steve Clarke. Switzerland will be a handful and our players so underperformed, they’ve got to be better.”