Celtic captain tips Simon Murray to thrive for Steve Clarke’s Scotland | OneFootball

Celtic captain Callum McGregor added his name to the growing list of Simon Murray admirers, backing the in-form striker to thrive for Scotland if Steve Clarke comes knocking…

PFA Scotland POTY Nominees. Dundee’s Simon Murray is among the four nominees alongside Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn from Celtic.. Photo PFA Scotland.

At 33, he’s become Scottish football’s Cinderella story, climbing from the Juniors to share the Premiership’s top scorer title with Celtic’s Daizen Maeda, each on 16 goals.

Daizen Maeda. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Dark Blues forward has played a crucial role for Dundee as they fight to steer clear of the relegation play-off amid the threat of dropping down to the Scottish Championship.

McGregor has been thoroughly impressed by the qualities of his fellow SPFA Player of the Year nominee, particularly his ability to step up and make an impact when it counts. Murray was also named as the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for April.

The Hoops skipper said: “He’s done amazing. Probably the one if I had to pick outside Celtic, he has probably been the outstanding candidate. He’s scored a lot of goals; he’s scored in big games and he’s actually played really well against us as well.”

“He’s given us problems. I always look at who’s been good against us”

“So, he’s given us problems. I always look at who’s been good against us as well and try to pick somebody from that. He more than deserves his place here.”

Murray’s form at his boyhood club follows his influential stints with both Ross County and Queen’s Park. And McGregor believes there’s no reason the striker, whose path has been anything but conventional, can’t cap his journey with a well-earned call-up to the national team.

Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates at full time during the SPL | Premier League match between Dundee United FC and Celtic FC at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He added: “I think he’s done amazing. He’s the type of guy that would represent Scotland in the best possible way. He works as hard as he possibly can. He’s sprinting about the pitch constantly. He’s always trying to help his team.”

“You know he’s got a goal in him”

“He’s trying to set the tone. And then when you score that number of goals as well, then you know he’s got a goal in him. Like I said, he’d probably be the perfect candidate. If he was going to get there in the summer, then who knows.”

Clarke is set to announce his squad this month for the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein – matches that have traditionally given national team coaches a chance to experiment and look beyond the usual picks.

PFA Scotland POTY Nominees. Callum McGregor is among the four nominees alongside Simon Murray from Dundee FC, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn. Photo PFA Scotland.

McGregor reckons Murray’s age is irrelevant as he looks to crown his extraordinary rise through the footballing ladder. He said: “You’ve seen everybody has different journeys and you see some of the England boys as well that have come in late on and done really well. Same with Scotland as well.”

“I don’t think there should ever be an age limit on when you can get back in the squad or get your first cap”

“I don’t think there should ever be an age limit on when you can get back in the squad or get your first cap or whatever it is. If you’re doing well at the moment – of course you need a bit of luck as well – then I don’t think there should be a limit on that. If you’re doing well and you deserve it, then you should be in.”

Conor Spence

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image above to join.

More Stories / Latest News

Celtic captain tips Simon Murray to thrive for Steve Clarke’s Scotland

May 2 2025, 8:37

David Turnbull doesn’t have his troubles to seek post Celtic

May 2 2025, 8:17

Daniel Cummings plus three more Celtic B Team players set to leave club

May 2 2025, 7:50