Scott Brown recognises that Callum McGregor’s decision to retire from international duty was a really difficult one, having done the same eight years ago before briefly returning.
Brown can see how the bombshell announcement on Friday afternoon will have been influenced by the injury McGregor suffered last season.
The Celtic captain has concluded his time with Steve Clarke's Scotland after an intense period of 57 matches from June 2023 to playing in all three Group A matches at Euro 2024.
The strain of this schedule has clearly began to take its toll on the 31-year-old, who is striving to maintain his immense longevity at club level.
McGregor announced his retirement after earning 63 caps and his Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers expressed relief at McGregor prioritising his health, while Ayr United manager Brown - who made a similar decision in April 2016 before a short return in 2017 - praised his former teammate for his bold choice, admitting that leaving behind international football is one of the hardest things to do as a footballer.
Read more:
- Celtic boss reflects on Callum McGregor's Scotland retirement decision
- The Norwich factor that could speed up Adam Idah to Celtic transfer
Speaking to BBC Scotland prior to Ayr United's 5-0 Scottish Championship win over Airdrie on Friday night, the legendary Hoops skipper said: "Callum is his own man. He's done some fantastic things for Celtic and for Scotland, he's been to the Euros and all that.
"I'm sure he's just put some thought into how he's going to look after his body now and giving everything he's got to Celtic for as long as he possibly can.
"It's similar to what I did back in the day. OK, I jumped back in for a few games, but I knew it was time to retire from international duty, the same as I knew it was time to retire from club football.
"It's the hardest (decision) in the world. Obviously being at two major tournaments with Scotland, for the first time in a long, long time, it's obviously a hard thing to do.
"He's probably thinking long-term about how to get the most out of his body and maintain his current level for Celtic for as long as he possibly can."
Read more:
- Frozen out Celtic player taken off official website as release looms
- Celtic return with 'improved' Adam Idah offer as negotiations resume
"Yeah, definitely!," Brown replied when asked about Rodgers' recent comments stating he was glad McGregor can just focus on Celtic from now on.
"He saves a lot of energy for Celtic (by retiring). It's a long, long season, especially going to the Euros and playing in all these games for Scotland.
"He's not had a break for a long time. You could see he got injured at the end of last season, but played through and continued to do that for Scotland. The rest will do him brilliantly.
"Callum looks after himself really well. He'll still be eager to watch the Scotland games and he'll be a little bit jealous of the lads, as I was when I retired. But you've got to give it up eventually and Callum knows it's maybe the right time for his body. He's got to look after Celtic as well."
