Erling Haaland absence is Scotland BLOW as Callum McGregor confesses appeal of world's best test

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Callum McGregor admits that he would RATHER face Erling Haaland when Norway come to town on Sunday afternoon - with the Scotland midfielder wanting to test himself against the world's best.Haaland picked up an injury in Norway's 2-0 friendly win over Faroe Islands on Thursday evening, and thought it's not thought to be keeping him out for the long-term, there will be no risks taken with the Manchester City striker bowing out of the clash at Hampden Park as the Euro 2024 qualifiers come to an end.With an outstanding tally that speaks for itself with 69 goals in just 71 games for the Citizens, Haaland will be a huge miss to Stale Solbakken’s side - despite the fact Norway can’t qualify due to a few hiccups in qualifying including that famous last-gasp loss to Scotland in Oslo and a 1-1 draw in Georgia earlier in the campaign.But whilst Scotland fans will be breathing a sigh of relief that Haaland won’t be coming up against Ryan Porteous and co, McGregor wishes he was playing, adding that he wants to test himself against the best strikers in the world.

Speaking ahead of the game, McGregor admitted that planning wouldn't change with Haaland being out but the tinge of disappointment was there.He said: "It’s a bit of both.

Obviously he’s a top player at the highest level, he scores goals for fun so it’s always good to test yourself against the best players, of course it is.

But on the flip side, we want to win the game and if they’re missing their top player and talisman then that’s good news as well.“We understand they’re a strong nation, they have other good players that can play the game as well so it’s a little bit of a double-edged sword that one.“Our full focus is on what we do and what we bring.