Pathway will assist Scots kids – McClair

SCOTLAND: Americas trip ‘good for youngsters’

Former Scotland international Brian McClair believes the introduction of several young players into Alex McLeish’s squad can be crucial for their development and confidence.

The likes of Chris Cadden and Lewis Morgan have been promoted from the Scotland Under21 set-up for friendlies against Peru and Mexico.

McClair was in charge of the Scottish Football Association’s performance strategy for a year and is delighted to see a pathway emerging into the senior squad.

He said: “It does no harm for them to be coming into the international set-up and be involved and playing against top players because it gives you a different view, particularly the ones that are not involved in European games, to say that other countries of a similar size or even greater populations do not necessarily have national teams with players that are better than ours.”

McClair believes young players will continue to come to the fore in the coming years in Scottish football.

He added: “Part of it is they have to be playing. If any team is buying a player, they have to have a plan of exactly what they are going to do with them – that’s down to opportunity.”

McClair continued: “If you’re talking about Kieran Tierney, there was an opportunity – Celtic needed a left-back. He came in, did very well, continued to do very well and has made that position his own.

“You have to have a belief in what you are doing with young players, and more and more I think that is going to be prevalent in the next couple of seasons.

“The opportunity presents when clubs need you to play. A lot of that comes down to economic circumstances. The more young Scottish players are promoted into first-team squads, it will be of huge benefit to Scottish football.”

Meanwhile John McGinn insists the chance to play for Scotland in the Americas is “priceless”.

The 23-year-old Hibernian midfielder stressed the importance of international duty even at the end of a hard season as he looks to add to his seven caps.

“Every time I get the opportunity to play for Scotland, it’s a massive honour, something I’ve dreamed about doing since I was young,” he told BBC Scotland.

“So every chance I get to pull on the jersey, no matter where it is, I’ll always be there if I’m fit.

“Obviously, at the end of the season, you’ve got bumps and bruises and boys will have reasons for pulling out.

“But, on a personal level, it’ll be the first time I’ll hopefully have played in South America, which is priceless.

“The same with going to Mexico, playing at altitude – I’ve never done it before and it can only help us improve.”

Midfielder John McGinn.