Callum McGregor reckons Celtic teammate Leigh Griffiths is the man to fire Scotland to the Euros

Leigh Griffiths celebrates his first of two famous goals against England

Callum McGregor says Leigh Griffiths is the man to fire Scotland to the country’s first appearance at a major finals in 22 years – but will need to prove it against Rangers and the rest first.

Winners against Israel on Thursday night, Steve Clarke’s men will take on Serbia in the Play-Off Final on November 12 for a place in the delayed Euros.

And McGregor is convinced his Celtic team-mate, who scored two stunning free-kicks against England in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, has the X-Factor to help upset the odds.

“You could throw Leigh into any game and he wouldn’t be fazed. He just has that mind-set that he loves playing football,” said. McGregor.

“No matter the level, if he gets that one chance then he will score.

“We saw that last weekend (when he came off the subs’ bench to score in Celtic’s win over St Johnstone). That is the kind of quality that Leigh has.

“The national team would benefit from that, too.

“So it is a challenge for him. He knows himself that he has to get out on the pitch and play games for Celtic.

“Scotland would then be looking at him to come in and help the group.”

His club’s busy schedule means there is no shortage of opportunities for Griffiths to advertise his well-being to national coach Steve Clarke.

However, with tests like the derby against Rangers on Saturday and the visit of Milan the following midweek to be faced, Celtic boss Neil Lennon will only have space for players who are right at the top of their game.

“It’s just a question of whether Leigh can get himself on the pitch enough to be included in the squad,” acknowledged the Scotland midfielder.

“He is working hard every day and those are the demands we put on ourselves as footballers, to be fit an available for selection.

“It’s down to him, down to us, to get him as fit as can be. Get him on the pitch.

“Because, as I say, his quality is undoubted.”

McGregor was one of the half-dozen heroes who got Scotland through their nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out against Israel, with a cool conversion which suggested missing was never a possibility.

His finish was all the more impressive given he has never scored for the country.

“I am counting it as my first – until I get one in regulation play!” the 27-year-old said with a laugh.

“I knew where I was going to put it.

“I could sense the game moving into extra-time and realised it could go all the way. You have half-an-eye on taking a penalty so you need to make your mind up and trust your technique.

“You then hope for that wee bit of luck and we seemed to have that on the night.

“We had been practising during the week. The manager had said to the players after the training sessions that he wanted us to hit the penalties.

“It’s all well and good hitting them in training, but you have to have the nerve during the game.”

The reward was there for all to see with the players and coaches sharing one of the most-exuberant celebrations witnessed by a national team in recent memory.

“Thursday was probably the reverse from what it has been like for Scotland in previous years where we have played well and had glorious failure,” said McGregor.

“I think the play-off games were always going to be nervy. You saw three of them going to penalties and the others very tight. It was just a case of getting to the final, however you do it is irrelevant.

“We want to be creating chances and scoring goals. But, ultimately, the result is what matters and that’s where momentum comes from.

“That is what we are trying to build.”