'Sometimes you have to suffer': McGregor explains Scotland Euro 2024 disappointment

Callum McGregor knows Scotland blew a huge opportunity to reach the knockout stage at a European Championship for the first time.

Kevin Csoboth's 100th-minute winner proved a cruel sucker punch as Hungary triumphed in Stuttgart.

The Tartan Army backed the country in their numbers during the three Group A matches but were left thinking 'what if' following another tournament without securing a win and ultimately exited the competition at a whimper.

McGregor understands their disappointment, however he's told disgruntled punters that sometimes you need to suffer these setbacks to improve long-term.

"It's a huge disappointment," McGregor acknowledged after the match. "There was so much hope and expectation, we thought this was going to be the time we did it.

READ MORE: Armstrong looked to buy foul as Scotland pen call rubbished by pundit

"The players gave everything but sometimes in football the ball just doesn't drop where you need it to drop. That was probably the case tonight.

"The point wasn't enough for us, it would have been a big ask for us to go through on two points. We knew we had to try and win the game. You throw everything at it and you get hit on the counter-attack. That goal was probably irrelevant.

"We've been away from these competitions for a long time. It's building all the time and sometimes you have to suffer disappointment to understand the level.

"We definitely had the confidence and belief we could get the job done. Hungary made it a difficult game, like we knew they would, and they found the moment of quality which we never quite did."