ANDERSON CANBENEW NATIONAL HEROFOR THELIONS
Martindale tips striker to earn a call-up for Scotland
Bruce Anderson has been tipped for a Scotland call-up by Livingston boss David Martindale.
The 23-year-old has been in stunning form since Christmas, netting seven times in his last 13 appearances as well as being named SPFL Premiership Player of the Month for February.
And with Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet ruled out with injury for the remainder of the season, Scotland boss Steve Clarke could feel the need to bring another striker into the fold.
Anderson, signed from Aberdeen in the summer, has bagged 11 league goals this campaign and is the leading Scottish goalscorer in the top flight.
Martindale said: “He’s the top Scottish scorer in the Premiership and he’s also chipped in with a few assists this season too.
“I don’t want to tell Steve Clarke how to do his job because he’s a very good manager but he’s got to be on the radar.”
He added: “It’s not just about Bruce’s goals because he does bring a lot more to his game.
“That’s him on 13 for the season and 11 in the league and a fair few assists so he’s on form and playing well.
“If you want to spin it slightly, Lyndon Dykes got a move to the English Championship for nearly £2 million and a Scotland call-up on the back of scoring nine goals for us in a season.
“Bruce has already got two more than that and there’s plenty of games left this season.”
Scotland’s planned World Cup qualifying play-off match at home to Ukraine for March 24 has been postponed due to the conflict in that country with the fixture provisionally pushed back to June.
They are hoping to arrange a home friendly for that date and have agreed to play the loser of the play-off clash between Wales and Austria in a friendly five days later.
If Anderson does make the cut, he would become the first Livingston outfield player to receive a Scotland call-up for 16 years. Goalkeepers Liam Kelly and Robby McCrorie have both made the squad in the last three years whilst at Livi but didn’t feature.
For more on Anderson winning the Player of the Month award, including the player’s thoughts on the accolade, turn to page 34.