CalMac could play for any club in any of Europe's top 5 leagues..that's how good he is SAYS MALKY MACKAY

MALKY MACKAY didn't need Callum McGregor's masterclass against Spain to cement his verdict on the Celtic midfielder.

- ALASDAIR FRASER

That's because the former Cardiff and Watford manager already felt CalMac could walk into any team, in any top European league.

What Mackay reckons showings in McGregor's 50th and 51st Scotland caps against Cyprus and Spain will have done is act as a jolt to Spanish as well as other leading international observers with no great regard for Scottish football.

Mackay, who handed McGregor his first cap against the Dutch during his caretaker stint in 2017, believes he would thrive among the elite.

That he chooses to dedicate his career to captaining Celtic only adds to Mackay's admiration.

The Ross County boss, preparing for Celtic's visit on Sunday, said: "Cal was just phenomenal against Spain.

"That was quite a game and result of the decade maybe! "The bit that really hammered it home was when Callum takes the ball 40 or 50 yards upfield with two minutes to go, teases and tricks, and almost nicks Scotland in for another goal.

"That's the point I believe Spaniards and other big clubs - would have been eyebrows raised, asking, 'Who the hell is that?' and, 'Can we sign him?'.