Celtic player disqualified after caught drink driving
22 year old Callum McGregor was pulled over by police and found almost four times the legal limit
Celtic player Callum McGregor has been disqualified from driving for a year after he was caught behind the wheel at almost four times the legal limit.
The 22-year-old midfielder was pulled over by police at 3am when they spotted him driving “erratically”.
His eyes were glazed and he smelled of alcohol when he was on his way home from getting some late-night food.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, McGregor from Robroyston, pled guilty to driving in various streets in the area on February 5, while almost four times the drink drive limit.
The legal limit is 22 and McGregor’s reading was 78.
Sheriff Neil Mackinnon disqualified McGregor for 12 months, although he may get a reduction if he successfully completes a drink driving course.
The hoops player was also fined £500 reduced from £750.
The court heard that around 3am on the morning of the offence police on patrol spotted McGregor driving.
Because of the erratic nature they pulled him to the side of the road and went to speak to him.
They noticed his eyes were glazed and there was a smell of alcohol from his breath and asked him to provide a specimen of breath.
He told officers “I was only going for some food” before being cautioned and charged.
Defence lawyer Graham Walker said: “He tendered a plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“He’s a professional footballer, it’s fair to say the club he plays for have been fully informed and are deeply concerned about the conviction.”
McGregor - who signed a five-year deal in 2014 - has been punished by Celtic by being fined two weeks wages.
Mr Walker said: “A childhood friend visited my client on the evening of February 4, this young man had recently split from his long term girlfriend and it’s fair to say Mr McGregor and this gentleman consumed alcohol over the course of the evening.
“In the early hours he decided that he wanted something to eat and the idea was he would drive to a nearby shop to do that.
“On returning police officers stopped his vehicle and this matter came to light.”
The court heard McGregor is a sportsman and “not someone who has a habit of consuming alcohol” and this is “out of character”.
Mr Walker added “He is a young man who made a serious mistake, it was a serious error of judgment.”
Last August McGregor was banned from driving for four months and fined £400 after being caught driving at 69mph in a 50mph zone.
The court opted to impose a four month ban instead of a heavier penalty and left him with nine points on his licence.
He was convicted at Hamilton Justice of the Peace Court after claiming the speed gun was faulty.
McGregor began as a youth player at Celtic and spent a year on loan at English side Notts County in the 2013-14 season.
He returned to Celtic and scored on his top-team debut against KR Reykjavik in a Champions League qualifier in 2014.