Callum McGregor is my lifelong Celtic idol but I'm living Buckie Thistle dream and PRAYING I get crack at him

He grew up wanting to be Callum McGregor. But at Celtic Park on Sunday, Marcus Goodall would love to BEAT him.

The Buckie Thistle midfielder idolised the Hoops skipper as a kid. And as a young pro at Ross County, he dreamt of emulating McGregor for Celtic and Scotland. In the David v Goliath Scottish Cup fourth round clash, Goodall will go toe-to-toe with his hero. And when the final whistle goes, there’s only one shirt he wants to get his hands on.

The 21-year-old can’t wait to test himself against the guy he rates as the best player in the country. Although, he says McGregor might struggle if he was plying his trade in the Highland League like him. Ahead of the momentous tie at Parkhead, Goodall told Record Sport: “I’m a Celtic fan through my dad, Martin. You’re just born into it, aren’t you? And I’ve certainly had no complaints in the last few years.

“He’s from Buckie and his old man didn’t even like football. So my dad and his brother picked their teams as kids. My uncle chose Aberdeen and my dad chose Celtic. He liked the kit and guys like Paul McStay. That’s what got me into it.

“I’ve been to loads of Celtic games. This season, I got down for the Atletico Madrid game in the Champions League. And I managed eight or nine home games last year, as well as getting to the Scottish Cup Final win at Hampden.

“I’m just praying Callum plays on Sunday, he’s the guy I want to go up against. For me, he’s the best midfielder in the country, if not the best player. As well as Matt O’Riley in the middle of the park. To test myself against those two - I couldn’t ask for much more than that.

“I’m more of a number eight for Buckie but I have played a few times as a number six. My lack of size isn’t ideal for that position. But Callum