Show us your worth
Ross challenges Lewis
Jack Ross has thrown the gauntlet down to Lewis Morgan by challenging him to prove to Alex McLeish why he is deserving of an international call-up.
The St Mirren winger is reportedly on the cusp of making McLeish’s first Scotland squad, which is set to be announced on Monday morning.
Morgan, who agreed a switch to Celtic in January before being immediately loaned back to the Buddies, has already cemented his spot in Scot Gemmill’s under- 21 side.
But with McLeish taking the reins from Gordon Strachan at Hampden last month, the new gaffer is believed to be looking towards the next generation of Scots for their March 23 friendly with Costa Rica.
It would be another massive step in the 21- year- old’s career as he prepares to make his life-changing switch to Parkhead come the end of the season.
And, with a title run-in also ahead of them, it could yet prove to be a landmark few months for the Saints star.
Ross said: “I don’t think a Scotland call- up would phase him – I’ve spoken about him often enough about his mentality and his mindset.
“I do find it strange describing him since his move, because nothing’s really changed for me because I’ve always had him here.
“But I think that move in January has probably given him a greater self-confidence as well, because he wouldn’t have got a move to a club of Celtic’s stature, and a team that competes in the Champions League without being a good player.
“I don’t know if that call-up will come about, but if it comes about then I think he’ll thrive under it and don’t think it will phase him.”
But Ross believes that even if the call doesn’t come from McLeish this time around, it is only a matter of time before he enters the senior set-up.
He added: “If Lewis keeps progressing as he is then he will get the call, I think he’s made an awful lot of progress over the last 14 months.
“I think his game has improved a lot, I still think it can get better, there’s things he knows he needs to be better at, and there’s things that we can still work on with him.”