Cadden can still grab a Euros berth
NICK MONTGOMERY has urged Chris Cadden to advance his claims for a Scotland call-up this week.
The Hibs boss reckons right-back Cadden is being sized up by Steve Clarke to solve his squad’s problem position ahead of Euro 2024.
Cadden has three games left to tout himself further for Germany – Aberdeen and Motherwell at home then away to Livingston on the final day.
English Premier League pair Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson have had their domestic seasons ended by injury and Clarke is in need of cover.
Montgomery said: “With the situation with the national team, I have no doubt they’ve been watching him.
“So with three games to go it’s a good opportunity for Chris – and anyone else – to put their hands up for selection.
“I have said to Chris to just keep playing and turning in consistent performances. To go to the Euros with Scotland would be fantastic.”
Cadden, who earned a dozen Under-21 caps, made two senior tour appearances in the summer of 2018 for Alex McLeish against Peru and Mexico.
The 27-year-old is making a late run at a return this season after recovering from a nine-month absence with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Montgomery reckons Cadden’s versatility and freshness after only starting his season off in February could make him of added appeal to Clarke.
Montgomery added: “Chris has been in and around national teams before.
“The fact he came back from that injury the way he did shows you what kind of professional he is. He just takes everything in his stride.
“We lost Lewis Miller to injury so we had to throw him back in, we didn’t have the bodies. And he has been consistently good. He has really built up his match fitness. That has been getting better week after week.
“So he is probably fresh now, whereas a lot of other players have had a really long season. He is just buzzing. He loves training – he’s there every day and doing everything possible to get himself as ready he can be.
“He’s versatile. He can play at right-back and a bit further up the park. Also probably wing-back, if that’s the way you want to go.”