Scotland assistant-manager Mark McGhee has challenged Aberdeen duo Ryan Jack and Ashton Taylor to force their way into contention for places in the national team.
Midfielder Jack and central defender Taylor have been outstanding in an excellent season for the table-topping Dons and their form has been noticed. Former Dons manager McGhee, now assistant to Gordon Strachan, has told both players their displays have caught the eye.
Former Wales under-21 international Taylor will have knee surgery today, but McGhee admits there may be more scope for him to break in to the squad quicker than his Aberdeen team-mate Jack as central defence is an area where the national team needs cover.
And McGhee has encouraged Jack to force his way in to what is a congested midfield.
The Gothenburg Great, who will watch former Don Jack Grimmer tonight in action for Fulham against Nottingham Forest, said: “We’re aware of the Ash Taylor situation and we have talked about it. He’s one we will look at.
“Central defence is maybe a position that’s a bit more open than the midfield. Even there we have players such as Christophe Berra who’s probably third or fourth choice, but each time I’ve seen him for Ipswich Town he’s done brilliantly.
“The problem for Ryan Jack is we have such strength in that area of the squad.
“We’ve got Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew plays in there now, James Morrison and James McArthur. A lot of our best, most reliable players play in midfield.
“All the likes of Ryan can do is keep playing and he can trust – like Scott Arfield at Burnley and others including Jack Grimmer – is we’re doing our due diligence.
“They can be assured we’re not just accepting Brown, Mulgrew and Morrison are the players. We’re looking at them. The day we think Ryan’s better than them he’ll be in the squad. They can trust we’re doing our homework.”
McGhee has also insisted Granite City-raised Shaun Maloney will not wreck his Scotland chances should he decide to move to MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
The Wigan midfielder, who turns 32 on Saturday, has been the key player in the Euro 2016 campaign so far.
It was his deflected shot which gave Scotland victory against Georgia, he scored in the 2-2 draw in Poland and netted a fantastic winner against the Republic of Ireland.
McGhee said: “We wouldn’t have any concerns about Shaun moving to the MLS. He is playing in the Championship and the American scene is probably closer to that than it is the Premier League. So I think it would be all right.
“The logistics of getting back and forward are a bit more difficult, but we would still expect Shaun to turn up.”