Callum McGregor's Celtic Future Splits the Jury
Record Sport's top team have tackled some of Scottish football's burning questions as the new season approaches, with the futures of Callum McGregor and Cammy Devlin among the key talking points.
On whether McGregor will still be at Celtic when the transfer window shuts, Ryan said: "The optics never look good when a player changes agents. If he's offered a mind-boggling package in Saudi, the skipper will take it. But I'm not convinced Rodgers will come calling. So he stays."
Michael offered a contrasting view: "At the end of the season it looked nailed on he’d stay but as the summer has wore on it feels more like 50/50. McGregor might feel the Double was a perfect ending and the possibility of a fresh challenge and a final bumper pay day could prove too tempting, and that’s before chucking in the uncertainty of the Celtic rebuild."
Ross added: "Changing agents suggests something could be in the pipeline and the dots seem to join up. With nothing left to prove he might fancy a payday."
Cammy Devlin Triggers Major Rangers Transfer Question
On whether Cammy Devlin walks straight into the Rangers XI, Ryan said: "The Aussie is a decent player but he's not an upgrade in the engine room. Gers are overloaded with midfielders, so McInnes might look to offload the likes of Barron - with Devlin the obvious replacement."
Michael commented: "It will depend on the Ibrox outgoings. They have a few similar style players but if the likes of Raskin and Diomande depart then he could be a regular. He’ll have a big part to play regardless."
Ross was clear: "No. Devlin is great at specific things, very limited at others. For certain games he's ideal for Rangers. The majority they will likely need something different."
Partick Thistle's Promotion Hopes and England's World Cup Chances
After Partick Thistle put six past Brechin City, the panel discussed whether this is the year they finally get promoted. Ryan said: "The Jags have endured so much heartache over the years. But Mark Wilson is building something special at Firhill and has his team playing some exciting stuff. Thistle are my favourites."
Michael added: "It’s too early to say. The Championship looks wide open this year and the Jags have been building and banging on the door. They have momentum from last term and already look like the team to beat."
Ross noted: "It could be but they'll face a stern challenge from Livingston and most likely Dunfermline."
On whether England can really win the World Cup, Ryan said: "Okay, this is getting a bit too close for comfort. But with Messi and probably Mbappe standing in their way, I can't see old Donald handing over football's greatest prize to Harry Kane."
Michael responded: "Nah. They’ve not played an elite side yet and have made heavy weather of most of their games. Having Kane and Bellingham on board gives them a chance but you feel their inability to keep possession will eventually bite them on the backsides. It could be in the final against France though."
Ross concluded: "Hopefully not. Now they'll have to beat two of the top three in the world to do it and evidence suggests they aren't at that level."
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