Malky Mackay wouldn’t say no to long-term Scotland job.

Scotland interim head coach Malky Mackay has named eight uncapped players in his squad for the friendly with Holland at Pittodrie next week.

To my eye, Malky Mackay has made a pretty good job of balancing the need to hold on to a bit of experience and being mindful that there have been some good Scotland performances, with the fact that a failed campaign necessitates some sort of changing of the guard.

It’s hard to argue with any of the eight names who are in line for a first cap – perhaps with the exception of Ryan Jack.

In fact, it’s probably the names left out that are the story here.

Barry Bannan, James Morrison, Steven Fletcher, Ikechi Anya, James McArthur, Robert Snodgrass, Chris Martin, Russell Martin and Grant Hanley were all Gordon Strachan regulars – seven of whom featured in the last double header.

The other common denominator between them? They all have club sides in England.

Strachan liked an anglo, that’s for sure, but Mackay’s squad – with 14 of the 24 playing their football in Scotland – has a much better balance of players north and south of the border.

All of the above has to come with an asterisk attached, however.

It’s a squad picked by a guy who probably won’t be in the job when the competitive stuff gets going again after the World Cup.

The next man’s opinion is the one that really matters.

SNS.

Malky Mackay has named 14 Scotland-based players.