Gemmill backs pair to step up

Scotland Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill believes Oli Mcburnie and Scott Mckenna are ready to make their senior debuts under Alex Mcleish.

Swansea striker Mcburnie has been on loan at Barnsley since January where he has scored five goals in seven appearances and won the Sky Bet Championship player of the month award for February.

Along with Aberdeen defender Mckenna, also 21, he is in Mcleish’s squad for the friendly double-header at home to Costa Rica on March 23 and away to Hungary four days later.

Gemmill will have to do without both players for the forthcoming European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Andorra but is confident they are up to making the next step in international football.

He said: “They are definitely prepared.

“If you trace back, they have not played only for the Under21s but the Under-19s as well, but the real confidence for the manager to select them comes from their club performances.

“Both of them have consistently shown that they can be trusted to play so it is fantastic for everyone that they have been given the opportunity to become part of the full squad.

Dundee United keeper Josh Donaldson, Chelsea youngster Harvey St Clair and ex-united striker Robbie Muirhead have been included in the squad for the first time.