Big Eck ready to hand a big chance to duo

Oliver McBurnie has already been on Scotland duty with the Under-21s, but Jon McLaughlin (inset) is a novice

Alex McLeish is set to hand Scotland call-ups to Oliver McBurnie and Jon McLaughin this week.

Barring mishaps, the Swansea City striker and the Hearts keeper will be named in the squad to face Costa Rica and Hungary when it is announced on Wednesday.

The new national coach also hopes to include Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Whether he is able to do so will depend on the 21-year-old himself.

Born in Lancaster, but with a father who hails from Glasgow, McTominay has the choice of whether he wishes to represent England or Scotland.

And he has been the subject of something of a tug-of-war between the countries.

Both McLeish and Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate met with the player over the last week to make their respective cases, and McTominay is currently thinking things over.

The new Scotland manager will keep up the pressure by going to watch him in action for Manchester United at Crystal Palace tomorrow night.

And McLeish will then follow that up by going to see McBurnie, a player he has no issues with, for Barnsley at Cardiff the following day.

Currently on loan with the Tykes from parent club Swansea City, the Scotland Under-21 internationalist has been in spectacular form, hitting four goals in his last four games and receiving rave reviews for his displays.

That has persuaded McLeish – whose trip to Wales will also allow him to check on Cardiff ’s marauduing full- back, Callum Paterson – to give him a call up.

The selection of McLaughlin will be a deserved reward for the 30-year-old’s exceptional form in goal for Hearts this season.

His way into the squad has been smoothed by the long-term injury picked up by the man who had the Scotland gloves, Celtic No.1, Craig Gordon.

Rangers manager Graeme Murty has spoken of his hope that some of his players will be in the mix, and the impressive Jamie Murphy is under consideration, even though he is injured at present.

Central defender David Bates, and recent signing from Hamilton Accies, Greg Docherty, who has been a regular at Scotland Under- 21 level, are among others whose names have been mentioned.

More straightforward will be the selection of Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, who has been in sensational form for his club, and has already been watched by the new Scotland boss.

Scotland play Costa Rica at Hampden on March 23 before heading to Budapest four days later for a meeting with Hungary.

After that there is the summer trip to play Peru and Mexico.