Callum McGregor gives elated Scotland kid a gift he'll never forget as Celtic skipper looks to inspire next generation

Callum McGregor was happy to give the gallus wee guy who ran on to the pitch in Cyprus a gift he’ll never forget.

The Scotland star is hoping it's the kind of gesture that can inspire the next generation of Tartan Army heroes – and he reckons making history against England can help too. McGregor is already to perfect role model at Celtic and with the national side but he made a young kid’s night in Larnaca. The boy somehow managed to jump the barrier after the final whistle and het on to the playing surface to join in with the celebrations with the squad following the 3-0 win.

Security was on his tail but McGregor made sure he had a shirt before he made his getaway and he was happy because he has been that star-stuck kid himself. The midfielder said: “The wee fella was making his way around a few of the boys, to be fair, so I thought it would be nice to give him a wee souvenir. We’ve all been there, we’ve all been kids with dreams. We’ve all wanted to be out there playing for our country and you don’t know, looking after a boy who wants your shirt might just inspire him to be part of the generation that follows us.”

McGregor knows a famous win over the Auld Enemy could have a similar effect. It might be a bounce game at a time when the Tartan Army’s attentions are more on booking their digs in Germany next summer.

If Norway slip up against Georgia at the same time, Scotland’s place will be nailed down and it could spark an almighty Hampden party. But that doesn’t mean the squad are taking their eye off the ball.

McGregor doesn’t need to be told how big this fixture is – or what it would mean to get one over our old chums from over the wall. The Parkhead playmaker said: “The situation we’re in when England come to