CALLUM McGregor has urged his Scotland team mates to “finish the job” when they play Ukraine in their final Nations League match in Poland tomorrow evening.
The national side can top Group B1, win promotion to the A League and secure a Euro 2024 play-off spot if they can draw with the Euro 2020 quarter-finalists in Krakow.
Steve Clarke’s men responded well to the disappointing defeats they suffered to Ukraine in the Qatar 2022 play-off semi-final and the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League back in June.
They beat Ukraine 3-0 and Ireland 2-1 at Hampden last week and are in first place in their section as a result heading into their last fixture in the Marszalek Pilsudski Stadium.
Celtic captain McGregor is now keen for Scotland to record a fourth consecutive victory and make sure those triumphs do not go to waste.
“We understand the game will be away and they will have some fans in the stadium,” he said. “We have to go to Poland and continue with the intent we have had in the last two games.
“We have to be aggressive and keep calm heads on Tuesday night and use all the experience we have. There are a lot of experienced boys in the squad and we have to galvanise the group. We know what we need to do to win the group and we will be going there to win the game.
“We need to be aggressive and do all the good things we have done so far in this camp. It’s about making sure we go in there with a positive mindset.”
McGregor added: “There have been a lot of undertones from the week in June. Because of what happened in the summer we wanted to settle a few scores.
“There is an element of that as well, but we have to try and take the emotion out of the game and out of the situation as well.
“We understand we have got ourselves in a brilliant position now to top the group. Now it’s just about going to try and finish that job.
“We will try and take the emotion away from it, do everything right and try and top the group.”
Aaron Hickey and Kieran Tierney both came off injured in the 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and are doubtful starters for the Ukraine rematch.
But McGregor has total faith in his Parkhead team mates Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor if the duo fail to make the starting line-up.
“We know what Greg and Tony can do,” he said. “They have been excellent for Celtic in the last 12 months.
“That’s the thing as a Celtic player, you play big games every week. There is big pressure and you have to handle that and perform. I don’t think there is any doubt about those two guys.
“It just shows you that the squad is strong and the lads who come in are full attuned to what the manager is asking them to do and what the team is trying to do. That all bodes well. If you have a strong squad you can achieve things.”
Scott McTominay has been ruled out of the Ukraine rematch after picking up a second booking and a suspension in the Republic of Ireland rematch.
