He’s our role model as we try to get back in the big time

SAYS ALEX McLEISH

“They wanted to be involved and no one looked out of place.”

There are also doubts over whether McTominay will travel to South America due to his involvement in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea on May 19 – just four days before the Scots squad fly out.

McLeish wants to take the strongest squad possible on the trip in the build-up to the UEFA Nations League qualifiers but has contingency plans in place if his star duo are ruled out.

When asked if either Robertson or McTominay would feature, McLeish said: “It could be difficult with the Champions League and FA Cup finals. It could be a case of Plan B for guys that could be missing.

“I want to try to get a nucleus of players who I believe we can go forward with.

“We have to name so many names because we need a set playing list in terms of numbers.

“If one or two pull out then will come in. I can’t list 30-odd names.”

McLeish is close to finalising his team for those Nations League qualifiers but is treating the friendlies against Peru and Mexico seriously.

The Scots will kick off the Nations League campaign against Albania on September 10 at Hampden before facing Israel away the following month.

And McLeish said: ‘‘I’m not far away from formulating the team in my head for the qualifiers. Getting a nucleus is normally seven or eight players. Then you flesh it around them depending on availability.

“We want to go there and recognise this is the level we want to get to, that we want to playing against teams of this level at the next World Cup or European Championship. That’s what I want to go mobothers handed. It will be Peru’s last game before heading off to Russia so it will be a phenomenal atmosphere.

“It’s something we would like everyone to relish and embrace.”

Celtic star Leigh Griffiths emerged as Scotland’s top striker towards the end of the last failed World Cup campaign.

And McLeish is glad to see the forward back fit after an injuryravaged season at Parkhead.

The national boss said: “I’m looking forward to seeing Leigh