Considine’s just getting started

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes defender Andy Considine is capable of adding to his cap tally for Scotland.

Considine was praised for his assured displays in his first two appearances for Scotland in 1-0 wins against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

T he 33 - year- old became Scotland’s oldest debutant since Celtic goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson earned his first cap in 1967 at the age of 36.

McInnes says Considine has proved he can handle the demands of international football and believes he will be firmly in the thoughts of national boss Steve Clarke ahead of next month’s Euro 2020 play-off final in Serbia.

He said: “I’ve mentioned Andy ’ s qualities to a few Scotland managers over the years. And I’ve certainly spoken to Steve about Andy two or three times.

“When I got the call from Steve last Thursday, I couldn’t have been more pleased.

“Hopefully there is more to come. The fact that he was so comfortable, he looked as if he’d had 30 caps.

“I’m not saying he’s going to get to 30 caps. But he certainly can get more than two.

“I think, like most people, now that Steve has had a chance to work with him up close, as I have for the seven- and- a- half years, you learn that there’s much more to him than what you see on a Saturday.”

McInnes was capped twice by Scotland during his playing career and knows how much finally getting the opportunity to don the dark blue jersey would have meant to Considine.

The Dons manager, whose side travel to Dundee United tomorrow, said: “Being an international player was important to me but I also take huge satisfaction for all the players who get capped from here – whether that be Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean or Graeme Shinnie, who was a massive one for me, because I knew how desperate he was to be a Scotland player.

“But Andy’s is up there with all of that, probably a bit more, because he’s getting on and t h e r e’s no doubt t h at he probably thought that his opportunity had passed.

“I hear comment from some now saying he should have been in years ago. I never really heard too many people saying that before he got called in.

“Sometimes you need to get put in that position for the perception to change.”

REPUTATION ENHANCED: Andy Considine, left, has earned plaudits for his displays since being capped by Steve Clarke last week.