SOUTTAR SET FOR PROMOTION, SAYS SAM

SAM NICHOLSON will be pleased to see Hearts team-mate John Souttar behind him on Friday night when Scotland’s Under-21s take on Macedonia at Tynecastle.

Nicholson, however, would have been absolutely delighted to note Souttar’s unavailability for selection if the teenager had been considered worthy of promotion to Gordon Strachan’s squad.

Of the senior squad centre-half quartet comprising Christophe Berra, Russell Martin, Gordon Greer and Grant Hanley, only Newcastle’s new £6million-signing Hanley is under the age of 30.

Nicholson believes 19-year-old Souttar will soon be in the frame to gatecrash that group, who feature in what is widely regarded as a problem position for the national team.

‘He must have been in contention because he’s been brilliant for us at the end of last season and the beginning of this one so far,’ said Nicholson. ‘So it wouldn’t have shocked me if he had got in it.

‘But it is, I suppose, good for us that he’s in our squad because he’s a good player we could do with. I’d say he’s as good a defender as we’ve got coming through.

‘He’s a class player. I’m in working with him every day, so I know his capabilities.

‘I think he could be ready. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got in the senior team.’

Nicholson and Souttar are joined in Ricky Sbragia’s squad by Tynecastle colleagues Liam Smith and the on-loan pair of Jordan McGhee and Billy King for the double header.

The young Scots face a trip to Ukraine the following Tuesday, the first of three away games that close out European Championship qualifying.

Scotland lie fourth in Group 3, six points adrift of leaders France and four behind Iceland and this week’s visitors Macedonia.