The Scotland assistant manager was impressed by Ibrox starlet Barrie McKay.
Barry McKay celebrates with James Tavernier
Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee has shared his first impression of young Rangers winger Barrie McKay ‘up close’, during an interview with Talksport on Monday.
McKay has experienced a rapid rise over the past 18 months, going from Raith Rovers loanee to the Scotland senior squad following an impressive 2015-16 campaign at Ibrox.
The 21-year-old established himself as a regular for Mark Warburton’s side last term, scoring six goals and making another eight as the Light Blues secured their long-awaited return to the top flight, and was rewarded with a first senior national team call up in May.
Rangers players celebrate winning the Scottish Championship
As Motherwell’s manager, McGhee will have seen plenty of McKay from afar in that time, although the 57-year-old admitted to being taken aback upon seeing him up close.
Discussing young Scottish-based talents, McGhee told Monday’s Jim White show: “Rangers have the wee boy, Barrie McKay, who I’ve seen, obviously, against my team and thought was a good player.
Mark McGhee
“But when I seen him up close I thought oh my goodness what a really good player he is.”
McKay has played just six minutes for Scotland so far, during June’s 3-0 defeat against France, and was left on the bench for Sunday’s 5-1 win in Malta.
However, the Paisley native has started all four of Rangers’ league fixtures so far, providing two assists, and is bound to win more caps in the coming months if he maintains his early-season form.
Scotland’s Robert Snodgrass
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