Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dons boss Del: Devlin can establish himself for Scots like McKenna
DEREK McInnes hopes Mikey Devlin can establish himself with Scotland in the same way as team-mate Scott McKenna.
Dons defender Devlin won his first caps during the international break this month.
The 25-year-old was at the centre of defence as Steve Clarke’s Scotland lost 4-0 to Russia in Moscow and beat San Marino 6-0 at Hampden in Euro 2020 qualifying Group I.
Reds boss McInnes was thrilled to see Devlin finally win caps for Scotland, as he had come so close in the past, and hopes his stopper can add to them
McKenna missed out on the last squad, having just returned from a hamstring injury, but having made his debut in March of last year, the 22-year-old has gone on to win 12 caps and become a mainstay of the Scotland defence.
McInnes said: “It was two games that were in total contrast to each other. Steve had indicated in conversations with me he was going to cap Mikey.
“It was a difficult start for him against Russia. The team had to pick themselves up from the disappointment when the game ended.
“There was the high of getting his first cap but then the disappointment of how it turned out.
“However, the reaction was good from everyone, including Mikey, against San Marino.
“I’m sure that lifted Mikey but it also lifted the supporters of the Scotland team.
“So it was good that Mikey had a convincing win and it was good he got the opportunity to go back into the team again after losing against Russia.
“Certainly he came back in last Tuesday feeling good about himself – and rightly so.
“To get a couple of caps is great and he will see it now as a chance to establish himself in the national team in the way McKenna has done.”
“Mikey is someone who is hungry to get more caps and I’m sure the two caps he’s had will help in terms of future squads.”