Callum McGregor has admitted he is unsurprised Celtic great Scott Brown has been linked with the St Johnstone vacancy and predicted his old teammate will be a Premiership manager one day. 

Legendary Parkhead midfielder Brown took over at Ayr United back in January and has led the ambitious Somerset Park club to top spot in the William Hill Championship this season. He has been installed as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to replace Craig Levein at McDiarmid Park after the former Dundee United, Hearts and Scotland manager was sacked last week.  

McGregor, who succeeded his friend as captain at the Scottish champions three years ago, was tickled about the possibility of “Broony” being in the home dugout at McDiarmid Park when Celtic play there in the Premiership on Saturday. The former Scotland internationalist feels that it is only a matter of time before his old teammate is managing an outfit in the top flight. “Obviously I know Scott really, really well from my time here,” he said.

“We played in midfield together for a number of years. When you do that you understand what makes people tick, how good they really are and how much they understand the game. So it's no surprise that he's gone into management and has started really, really well. To be honest, I see him having a Premiership job before too long. It will happen at some point I'm sure.

“He has huge ability, huge motivation. He gets the best out of people. There's absolutely no surprise he’s doing well and I'm sure he'll have a really good, successful managerial career. Whatever he chooses to do, then I'm sure that'll be the right thing for him.”

McGregor continued: “But I don't think that [Brown being appointed St Johnstone manager] will change the dynamic too much. I would want to win and he would want to win so let's go at it. 

“That's football for you, it throws up strange occurrences every now and again. But, of course, at the minute it’s just speculation.  I'm sure whatever Broony decides to do will be the right thing for him. It doesn't change the football, especially for us. We've got a really important game at the weekend and we'll see what falls into place at that point.

"We just want to look after the football.”