Hibs ‘animal’ Darren McGregor plays down Scotland talk

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Hibs defender Darren McGregor has played down his chances of earning a Scotland call-up at the age of 31.

McGregor awoke on Saturday morning to discover in the newspapers that team-mate Fraser Fyvie had tipped him and fellow centre half Paul Hanlon for international recognition.

Described by head coach Neil Lennon as an ‘animal’ following the weekend’s 4-0 thrashing of Queen of the South, the former Rangers player is part of a Hibs rearguard that is the meanest in British football, having only conceded seven goals.

But he realises that time is not on his side, nor is the fact that he is plying his trade in the second tier of Scottish football.

“For me that’s just way beyond the realms of possibility,” said McGregor.

“If something like that did materialise, Paul would probably deserve it because he is younger but at the end of the day if (Scotland manager Gordon) Strachan is listening and wants an old cart-horse then I am willing to oblige.”

McGregor, however, welcomed the praise from Celtic boss Lennon.

He added: “Coming from someone like him, the good things he’s seen about you – it’s great.

“I think the positives give you the motivation to go out there and play and when it comes from a manager of his status it’s great to hear.

“The positives are great but for me the priority is to win games. If we keep clean sheets along the way that’s great, an added bonus for the defence.”